ethernet adapter, trying to disable restarts computer

[sitbfe]

i have a hp 500 054 pavillian desktop, and im trying to restart the Ethernet adapter by disabling it and the whole computer restarts. I try to install a new driver the computer restarts. it has a wireless adapter and that one is fine. nothing else on the computer does this. you try to modify anything that has to do with the Ethernet adapter, it freezes, then restarts the whole computer. windows 8 64 bit. any suggestions?

 

[carnageX]

By disable, do you mean through Device Manager?

Try booting into Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking and see if it still does it.
How To Boot Into Safe Mode On Windows 8 (The Easy Way)