Stated that I'd post a fix for the next guy but a fix was never found that didn't require me to roll back my system like jashuacumbie did.
Fortunately, had a disk image backup of my system when this problem wasn't happening and installed it. Lost all of my data since the backup but fixing this annoying auto-connect problem was more important.
If anything, this was a lesson to make disk image backups. Also, one should use care in installing Open Office 3.0 over v. 2.4 because the issue came about after this "upgrade." Forgot to mention that.
Also, after posting this issue on multiple forums, received a most intriguing response from a chicagotech.net user. He/she suggested that I merge only a of portion (HKLM/Software/Microsoft/WLANSVC) of a registry backup I had.
Thanks to all who've responded. Nice to be a member of the forum.