Hi Peter,
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.
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
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. Scan for Adware/Spyware/Trojans with Spybot from:
http://security.kolla.de
And then run an Online Virus Scan:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/
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 9.0a
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,
Jimmy S.
Additional Support Resources: My Zone.com Helpsite:
http://nibblesnbits.tk
Microsoft Online Tech Support:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=376
Game FAQ's:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?
scid=FH;[LN];gms
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I
confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________
