It sounds like the programs are shut down, but the wireless card may be
connecting via windows networking rather than using the manufacturer's
software.
Once FF is closed, it can be restarted, the same with OO or most other
programs.
They cause an error and are closed, but you can restart them and they will
run until they cause another error.
I would see if there is an updated driver or software for the wireless card.
Make sure you have the latest version of OO and FF.

This is the standard Microsoft excuse screen when something internal
acts up within Vista. It can also be caused by non Microsoft software
or some hardware issue as you see, but the vast majority of time the
cause is Windows itself. Sorry, I have no solution for your problem.

It is most frustrating when Vista says it has to shut down one of it's
built-in applications, applets or services. Common ones include
Windows Explorer, Media Player or it's browser. Other times Vista
might report a bogus Com Surrogate error saying something was wrong
with playing a video...after the damn crap actually finished playing
it proving again what junk Vista actually is. Play something, then
afterwards say it couldn't or can't play it, after it just did,
showing you it can. Only Microsoft is this dumb and of course the
fanboy idiots clap their hands in a orgasmic fit of frenzy.

Hardly a week goes by that I don't see the moronic message that Vista
"needs to shut down blah, blah". There's no real fix for this. The
fanboy club will try hard to blame it on something you've done.

The real problem is Microsoft releases the latest version of Windows
before it is properly debugged and tested. This has been Microsoft
policy from the beginning, over twenty years ago. The only fix is
replace dumb Windows and install a better OS.

The problem with that is tens of millions of people have been duped
into buying Windows based software and really don't want to buy all
new software to jump ship to go to Apple. Sadly Linux for many isn't a
viable option either. So we just suffer hoping by some miracle someday
Microsoft will actually release a version of Windows that actually is
stable and does what it is suppose to. Well, we can hope anyway.
Meanwhile the clique of fanboy loons will continue to clap their
hands, shake their bony fingers while screaming obscenestly and making
noise while happily remaining in bliss totally unaware how screwed up
Vista is and attack everyone that factually points out how messed up
Windows is and always has been.