spontaneous reboot dilemma

Two weeks ago, I reported an issue with spontaneous reboots, and I've been trying to diagnose this since then. I finally reinstalled Windows 98SE, and it's still occurring. Some new coincidental info has hit me like a ton of bricks. I have a second computer connected to my computer through a 3Com telephone wire USB network adapter. My computer is connected to AT&T roadrunner cable through a 3Com NIC.The network has been running fine, but now it appears as though that when my wife boots her computer while my computer is on and idle with screensaver running (not in suspense) it is causing my computer to shutdown and reboot. Is this a problem with my computer or hers, and what should I check?

Truly a bizarre problem!

I think the first thing would be to remove the USB telephone adapter thingy (official term, hehe) and see if your computer operates correctly. Once we know that its the problem, then I'd check your BIOS to make sure "wake up on LAN", if you have such an option, is turned off. "wake up on ring" probably won't have any effect, but turn it off also just to be safe.

Maybe a little more investigative work? Like, does your computer reboot as your wife's computer is shutting down or as its reloading? Its obviously sending something down the line to your computer, and consequently freaking it out. It would be nice to know though, if its happening as her computer is unloading the adapter driver or as its trying to load it again.

I will definetely keep thinking about this and post anything that may be the culprit.

Good Thoughts. I did remove an Apricorn USB 6 Gig drive, because I have a gut feeling, based on some of the drives behavior, that it may be conflicting. I'll know more when I get home from work today. As I type this (i'm on it right now) it diddn't crash last night when she logged on or off, so it may be the USB drive. I'll see tonight. The odd thing is when these problems just pop-up.