Internet Connection = Random Reboot??

[grandmaz]

I have a very interesting problem. After exhaustive troubleshooting with a random reboot issue, I have discovered the culprit. (I can reliably recreate reboot with OCCT torture test). Here is my issue: When my cable is connected from my cable modem to my computer (motherboard with onboard lan) the reboot will occur. When I test for a reboot with the network cable unplugged, no reboot...machine is rock solid (ran stability/torture test for over 8 hours). I tried this test same test at my buddy's apartment. My machine would NOT reboot with or without the internet connection. The only difference in setup is that he is using a router and I am not.

Has anybody run into this sort of flakiness before? Would a router solve my problem or am I dealing with something more complicated (perhaps a wiring issue)? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

 

[Jimbo420]

Do you have any bulging caps on your motherboard? Sounds like you have a faulty onboard NIC and either need to install a PCI one or replace the motherboad.

 

[grandmaz]

The motherboard appears to be fine. My machine had no problem at all when connected at my friend's apartment. The only connection difference is that he is working through a router and I'm going directly from my cable modem to my computer onboard NIC.

Oh, I forgot to mention, I am running ZoneAlarm for my firewall and this is the only computer in my house on connected to the internet.