Hi KingHelp,
I don't want to overwhelm you with information, nor do I want to make you
wait for more suggestions if my first instincts are incorrect. For this reason,
here's a fairly complete checklist of solutions, which should solve the problem.
Remember, if there is a step that you feel unsure about, we are here to help
you. Just post your questions and we'll do our very best to help you further.
A new section for Windows XP Service Pack 2 issues has been added.
With that said, here's the checklist of troubleshooting steps for you!
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CONNECTION:
1. Run this SPEED TEST:
http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/
2. Download the TCP Optimizer Utility:
http://www.speedguide.net/files/TCPOptimizer.exe
3. Double click the program to start it:
4. Select the type of connection you're using: DSL, Dialup, DSL (PPPoE),
or Cable, then click "Optimal settings", click Apply changes, and click Exit.
5. Reboot and run the SPEED TEST again. Notice any improvement? If not,
then the Internet "highway" that you're using may be under heavy traffic or
construction. I have a webpage you can use to examine that possibility:
http://www3.sympatico.ca/nibblesnbits/TraceRoute.html
WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 2:
Microsoft Published some articles to resolve SP2 gaming issues:
1.
http://support.microsoft.com//kb/875363
and 2.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/842242
I've found that some solutions which have worked so far which includes:
1. Update your Video Drivers:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video
2. Update your System Drivers:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11
3. Adjust your BIOS Settings:
Set AGP Aperture size in bios to 128
Go to your AGP settings and make sure it is set to the highest
AGP aperture, AGP fastwrite enabled, AGP writes, reads and
synchronization enabled. There's more ideas linked directly here:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v15 (try the other steps too).
4. Check for a game update
5. Update your BIOS firmware.
Additional Resources:
Deploying Windows Firewall Settings for Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e1-61fa-447a-bdcd-499f73a637d1&DisplayLang=en
Manually Configuring Windows Firewall in Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/community/columns/cableguy/cg0204.mspx
ADDITIONAL CONNECTIVITY TIPS:
1. Extra items in your Networking Properties Components list may confuse and
delay your system while it's connecting as it has to choose which component to
transfer the data through. Solution: Remove unnecessary network Components.
If you don't use dial up, replace "Dial Up Adapter" with "Network Adapter" in:
these instructions:
http://www.oregoncoast.com/configuration/ConfigNetwork.htm
* If you don't use a Dialup Modem, delete it. In 99% of cases VPN components
aren't used, so you can safely delete those as well.
2. Advanced Users should Reinstall ICS and Networking Components:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q263276 Or..
another advice would be to simply unplug the computer, remove the card
you connect to the internet with, and then restart the computer to verify that there
is no longer anything installed in the Control Panel / Networking section.
Once done power off, unplug, reinstall the card, and create a new connection.
3. Lag/Latency can be caused by your Modem or Network Cards and by other
programs running on your system. Firewalls and even AntiVirus programs have
been know to slow a connection down. You can disable startup programs using the
method explained at:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm.
4. Run a virus scan at:
http://housecall.antivirus.com Afterwards
Download & Run Spybot from:
http://security.kolla.de and/or
Adaware (
www.lavasoftusa.com) to remove any Spyware/Adware.
5. If you use a Router, or similar networking/internet sharing device, check for
firmware updates. There's been a lot of improvements with the release of DX 9.0b
which you should download and install from:
www.microsoft.com/directx
IF DISCONNECTED WHILE PLAYING:
1. Disconnects can be caused by your Modem or Network Cards and by other
programs running on your system. See above for help disabling those programs.
2. Another reason for disconnects could be an external router or modem that has
overheated. Try unplugging it for awhile, and contact your ISP to see if they have
a newer model if the problem keeps recurring.
3. Check for IRQ sharing: Click START / Run / type: msinfo32 / ENTER
Expand + Hardware Resources / Click on IRQ and notice if the sound card, video
card(s), and modem/network cards share the same IRQ. If they do, move them into
different slots, to prevent bottlenecks caused by too much traffic on the same IRQ.
4. Further to step 3., Make certain that your Network adapter or Internal Modem
is not in the slot directly beside the graphics card, as those two must be separate.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
More information on the topic of online gaming connections is available at:
http://NibblesNbitsConnect.tk my site and the reference for this reply to you includes
Ports listings, Router configuration settings, ICS, DSL, Cable and Networking help.
Dialup Tips:
http://www.56k.com/trouble/#disconn
Zone.com Dialup Tips:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q228564
Hope that's been of help, please let me know how it went.
--
Cheers, *Windows_XP_MVP_Shell/User*
Jimmy S.
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com
Visit my MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site:
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Games Help and Support Center:
http://support.microsoft.com/?pr=gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
KingHelp Wrote:
=================
| I play Age of Mythology lots online and just love it. But lately playing 4
| mins into it and the multiplayer game goes out of sync, sometimes saving it
| too. Them after that it returns to the main menu and i have to exit the game
| and start all over just to do this all over again. I ask ppl on the eso
| website but no one knows. This isn't the only game too. Well Age of kings 2
| did this as well when i first starteed to play these real time stragety
| games. Can U help
