IPCONFIG fails

If the following error occurs when attempting to run IPCONFIG:

Windows IP Configuration
An internal error occurred: A device attached to the system
is not functioning.Please contact Microsoft Product Support
Services for further help.
Additional information: Unknown media status code.

The likely cause of the problem is a wired network adapter that isn't connected.
IPCONFIG reports an error because of unknown media status from the wired network device driver.
This issue is known to affect at least some Intel wired network adapters with Windows XP drivers dated 2006 and later. For example, disconnected Intel PRO/1000 MT Mobile wired network adapter in a ThinkPad T41 with driver e1000325.sys:

Version	Date	Source	Status	IPCONFIG
6.4.16.36	06/13/2003	Original Windows XP driver	Cable Unplugged	OK
7.2.17.101	10/26/2004	Lenovo Software Installer	Cable Unplugged	OK
8.7.1.0	04/27/2006	Microsoft/Windows Update	Auto Disable	Fails
8.7.9.0	10/24/2006	Lenovo Driver Download	Auto Disable	Fails
8.9.1.0	03/25/2007	Microsoft/Windows Update	Cable Unplugged	Fails

Apparently this problem was introduced by Intel in Version 8 of its Windows XP drivers, possibly as an Law of Unintended Consequences of power management-related changes.
Note: Windows Vista does not seem to exhibit this problem with version 8 drivers.

Fix:

• Use Windows XP Driver Roll Back or Uninstall/reboot/reinstall to go back to the original Windows XP driver, or otherwise install an older driver that doesn't exhibit this problem (e.g., Intel Version 7 rather than Version 8).
• Hide any updated driver in Microsoft/Windows Update to prevent unintentionally recreating this problem in the future. Likewise avoid recent driver updates from hardware vendors.

Workarounds:

1. (Verified)
   1. Click Start → Control Panel → Network Connections, and for any wired network adapters that are Disabled:
   2. Right-click on My Computer, and click Manage to start Device Manager
   3. Disable wired Network Adapters that are disabled in Network Connections
   4. Run IPCONFIG as desired
   5. Re-Enable wired network adapters in Device Manager
2. (Verified)
   1. Click Start → Control Panel → Administrative Tools
   2. Double-click Services
   3. Scroll down to Routing and Remote Access
   4. If Routing and Remote Access is Disabled, change it to Manual
   5. Start Routing and Remote Access, or Stop and Re-Start it if it's already running
3. (Not verified, applies to ThinkPads, possibly other computers)
   1. Uninstall Access Connections, Keyboard Customizer, Wi-Fi drivers, and Ethernet drivers
   2. Reinstall in this order Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Keyboard Customizer, Access Connections

Notes:

1. Turning off Power Management and/or changing Advanced options doesn't help.
2. The problem occurs whether or not the Intel PROSet for Windows Device Manager is installed.