Network connection is late in the boot up process

When I restart my eithernet connection connects late in the loading process
causing an program that need to connect on-line when it loades - i.e.
PC-cillin fails. Any program that loads is delaying the NIC from completing
it's connection process and it can take 2 minutes or more for the network to
connect. If I try to launch IE before the network connects the NIC will
nrever get a connection and requires a restart.

Is there a way to reorganize the order in which connection are made? I have
seen other complain about this on other forums.

I have a 2 month old dell 9200 deminsion Dual core 2.6ghz - 4gb system memory
intel 82566 gigabit NIC using Vista home premium.

Any thoughts