Cat 5E cable query

[RoseW]

Is it possible for a this Cat 5E cable to deteriorate and contribute to the computer
going into an automatic reboot at power on?
I have had the machine into the shop where it was examined for a couple of days and
it started properly each time. I included my mouse and USB external drive as
peripheals. As I stood there at pick up time we even simulated the machine being
bumped around when transported in the vehicle and it started up properly.
The machine came home and I plugged in the satelite internet modem usb, the home
network cable, the wireless usb mouse, keyboard and the computer did the automatic
reboot. I let it keep doing it allowing 'start Windows normally' and a total of three
times in quick succession before it loaded windows
(XpHome Sp2 updated to Aug 4.06 and clean scans plus has been well inspected
including System Mechanic at the repair shop.)

This morning I pulled the satelite plug in and the home network plug out at start up
and the computer started exactly normally. Then I plugged the two cables in after
Windows had loaded and everything is normal.
Of the three cables in this network setup the one into the desktop is the oldest.
I just wondered how anyone else would consider this situation and if replacing the
cable might be the simple answer?
Rose

 

[Chris]

Well, you can always try to replace the cable. That's the simplest
step. I've never really heard of a cable causing reboot problems,
though. Usually it's something that's trying to use the cable.

In my experience, your problem can be caused by any of the following:
1) Bad Drivers
2) Bad Hardware
3) Bad Software, or adware/spyware/virus infection
4) Windows just deciding to commit suicide


1) Bad Drivers
To see if the drivers for the network card could be causing problems.
a)Uninstall the drivers,
b) physically remove the network card from the system and restart,
(optional)
c) reinstall the network card , then reinstall the drivers for it.


2) Bad Hardware (Network card)
If this doesn't solve it, try removing the network card and installing
a different network card. Also try the same network card in a
different machine.

3) Software/adware/spyware/virii
Also run a scan for spyware/adware and virii. Sometimes a virus or a
poorly written piece of adware can interfere with normal system
operations and when it tries to access the network, it can cause
crashes. There are links to several free programs within other posts
in the newsgroup. Lavasoft's Adaware is a good tool for finding
adware/spyware. Trendmicro offers a free online virus scan. AVG
offers a free virus scanner as well.

Once you're at step 4, you're into really obscure stuff.