How come when I play/do anything my modem drops me? Except for WC3...

[Chobits]

Hi...I have a 1700+/Asus Nforce2 (1004 bios 2.03drivers) with Win2kSP3 (no other updates) and a Encore 536EP HAM Modem

Now I noticed that if I download I cannot do anything else my connection drops. I was trying to play Stepmania and download a game demo at the same time but I lose my connection each time I load up step mania.

Or if i'm downloading something overnight (like service packs) and I touch the pc in the morning i immediately disconnect lik I have disrupted something or something.

I have tried reinstalling windows to no avail.

If I'm connected to the net and try to play CS I immediately lose my connection around 5 minutes after entering a game and it is laggy the entire time. using "Net_Graph 3" I see that the ping is absolutely horrendous but the data transfer is pretty good...but the PACKET LOSS is absolutely insane... Even now I'm connceted to the Net and for the 1.5 hours i've been on Windows reports (in the litle blking computer thing) 122 errors received.

But I can play WC3 without any lag and any problem at all.

And AOE2 sporiadically works...

I live in a house that is only two years old that I saw being built so I know that the line quality isn't bad...I think (why would a new house have bad line quality)

Any ideas what could cause this? Its really annoying and I wish fo some CS. On my old pc with some 33.6k modem conection times were fine but I had crappy framerate (but that modem would NEVER connect...it was a miracle to connect to the internet)

Please help...

and don't say broadband/dsl/cablemodem. I'd have it if they had it in my area (And 60 dollar Adelphia doesn't count)

 

[Chobits]

bump

 

[thraxes]

sounds like you need a new modem. A 56k PCI card shouldn't cost much and would probably solve those problems. See if you can borrow another modem first and try with that one.

BTWS is this a USB, Serial or PCI modem?

 

[Cerb]

1) get UOtrace and see if you can, while doing nothing else, do a trace route and get no packet loss (PL) on sevrers you usually have trouble with.
If that works, try it with stuff running or downloading.
2) If you get PL (or more PL than before) while doing CPU intensive stuff (or lots of downloading), think about getting a hardware modem. The $43 ($38 + $5s&h) USR one at Newegg kicks a$$. A friend of mine got one after I hounded him about it a year or so ago...never loses a connection while he's home (he goes to GA Tech), and can even game at home now.

Note: I cannot find your given model number at Encore's website.

Edit: abbr.s

 

[OverVolt]

Before you spend the money on a new modem try simply changing it to a different PCI slot, might not have a good connection or is getting interference from another device.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: OverVolt
Before you spend the money on a new modem try simply changing it to a different PCI slot, might not have a good connection or is getting interference from another device.

I've never seen that happen before, but when spending more money is involved, it's always worth a shot

 

[Chobits]

I would try that, but the card is pretty isolated. Its the only card on the PCI slot (a7n8x) save for my videocard which is small low profile G4mx420..I will try it but what is UOTrace? Thanks

 

[Cerb]

uotrace is a nice, free windows traceroute program, IIRC, originally for use with ultima online. It sends packets to the server you're trying to get to, then pings and sends packets to each hop (server) along the way, letting you see where the weak link is.

 

[Chobits]

I downloaded it and have no idea how to use it. When it tries to upadte server list I say "yeah retrive it" and the program won't load...I have to say no. Then in options when I choose it to update the server list the program freezes on me and if i leave it be it says "Generic socket error getting list". the only thing that worked was "Localhost" as the thing to test - I tried websites like http://www.msn.com and stuff like that didn't work. How am I supposed to ping/what am I supposed to ping?

Also might I add that also when i played Ragnarok Online it was also a hit and miss...Someimtes I could play for literally HOURS without problems and others i'd be disconnected every 30 minutes or so almost ritualistically.

As for Hardware modem I would get one but come september i am attending college...and putting down nearly 60 dollars which i don't have is kinda something that i have to think about for a while

 

[Chobits]

NO"TE: 536EP is actually the chipset it uses. It is a intel developed HAM chip (HArdware Accelerated Modem...something like in the mix between hardware and software but it seems its more of a gimmick than anything) and I have spent a long sleepless night getting that thing to work in rh9

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: Chobits
I downloaded it and have no idea how to use it. When it tries to upadte server list I say "yeah retrive it" and the program won't load...I have to say no. Then in options when I choose it to update the server list the program freezes on me and if i leave it be it says "Generic socket error getting list". the only thing that worked was "Localhost" as the thing to test - I tried websites like http://www.msn.com and stuff like that didn't work. How am I supposed to ping/what am I supposed to ping?

Also might I add that also when i played Ragnarok Online it was also a hit and miss...Someimtes I could play for literally HOURS without problems and others i'd be disconnected every 30 minutes or so almost ritualistically.

As for Hardware modem I would get one but come september i am attending college...and putting down nearly 60 dollars which i don't have is kinda something that i have to think about for a while

Start UOTrace, tell it no on the server list.
options -> advanced
in the address box, insert the name or IP of the server (ie, 24.126.45.16 or www.anandtech.com)
now hit the traceroute button.
The first few may be unknown host and a couple that are clearly your ISP, then it actually goes out on the 'net.
After the traceroute, you hit poll, and it will get how often a packet is lost on a given server.
If the modem can't cut it and/or you have crappy phone lines, the hardware modem would be the way to go. I had a friend of mine get one a year or so ago, as he couldn't play anything w/o tons and tons of lag...he hasn't lost a connection once since then.

If you can, try this:
Get the modem's model number and find it at a nice B&M store.
Buy it. Try it for a day or two. If it works out, return it saying it didn't, and get the OEM one from Newegg.
(and it's $43, not $60)

 

[Chobits]

Host Name IP Address Hop Ping Time Ping Avg % Loss Pkts r/s Ping best/worst
netblock-66.51.199.51.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.51 1 125ms 142ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 766ms
ge6-0.core.monster.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.133 2 156ms 152ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 813ms
gigabitethernet5-1-115.ipcolo1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 63.209.70.133 3 140ms 176ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 828ms
gigabitethernet5-1.core1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.244.10.169 4 141ms 178ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 875ms
p16-1-1-3.r21.lsanca01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.9.33 5 125ms 178ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 1484ms
p16-1-1-0.r21.snjsca04.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.187 6 141ms 153ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 735ms
xe-0-2-0.r20.snjsca04.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.72 7 140ms 181ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 1188ms
p64-0-0-0.r20.plalca01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.70 8 141ms 163ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 828ms
p16-5-0-0.r02.mclnva02.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.193 9 187ms 218ms 1% 54 / 55 187ms / 813ms
p16-7-0-0.r01.mclnva02.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.5.11 10 204ms 229ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1485ms
p16-0-1-0.r21.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.181 11 203ms 222ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 797ms
p16-4-0-0.r02.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.63 12 203ms 245ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1328ms
ge-1-2.a00.asbnva01.us.ra.verio.net 129.250.26.113 13 203ms 320ms 1% 54 / 55 187ms / 1515ms
ge49.r1.vadc1.eicomm.net 168.143.105.78 14 219ms 277ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1500ms
* Unknown Host * 168.143.107.162 15 219ms 223ms 1% 53 / 54 187ms / 1547ms


That was the result of Anandtech.






ge-1-2.a00.asbnva01.us.ra.verio.net 129.250.26.113 13 203ms 320ms 1% 54 / 55


That was the first thing to lose a packet.








Here is a random CS server....


Host Name IP Address Hop Ping Time Ping Avg % Loss Pkts r/s Ping best/worst
netblock-66.51.199.51.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.51 1 141ms 140ms 1% 87 / 88 109ms / 828ms
ge6-0.core.monster.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.133 2 125ms 139ms 0% 88 / 88 109ms / 1500ms
gigabitethernet5-1-115.ipcolo1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 63.209.70.133 3 125ms 142ms 0% 88 / 88 93ms / 781ms
gigabitethernet3-2.core1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.244.10.253 4 125ms 146ms 0% 88 / 88 109ms / 1469ms
so-4-0-0.mp1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.247.10.193 5 125ms 129ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 750ms
gige8-1.hsipaccess1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 64.159.1.201 6 125ms 131ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 797ms
unknown.Level3.net 209.245.88.110 7 125ms 147ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 813ms
core-01-ge-0-2-0-0.lsag.twtelecom.net 168.215.54.93 8 187ms 235ms 0% 87 / 87 172ms / 1532ms
tagg-01-pos-0-0-0.lsag.twtelecom.net 206.169.72.58 9 125ms 164ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 1453ms
206-169-72-86.gen.twtelecom.net 206.169.72.86 10 141ms 172ms 0% 87 / 87 110ms / 1515ms
* Unknown Host * 69.39.192.218 11 140ms 139ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 297ms
* Unknown Host * 69.39.200.36 12 141ms 153ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 828ms


The only packet loss occured when sedning the 2/3 one in that...

now i'm going to try that server...if it lags and does what it normally does i'll tell you

 

[Chobits]

Host Name IP Address Hop Ping Time Ping Avg % Loss Pkts r/s Ping best/worst
netblock-66.51.199.51.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.51 1 125ms 142ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 766ms
ge6-0.core.monster.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.133 2 156ms 152ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 813ms
gigabitethernet5-1-115.ipcolo1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 63.209.70.133 3 140ms 176ms 1% 54 / 55 125ms / 828ms
gigabitethernet5-1.core1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.244.10.169 4 141ms 178ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 875ms
p16-1-1-3.r21.lsanca01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.9.33 5 125ms 178ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 1484ms
p16-1-1-0.r21.snjsca04.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.187 6 141ms 153ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 735ms
xe-0-2-0.r20.snjsca04.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.72 7 140ms 181ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 1188ms
p64-0-0-0.r20.plalca01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.70 8 141ms 163ms 0% 55 / 55 125ms / 828ms
p16-5-0-0.r02.mclnva02.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.193 9 187ms 218ms 1% 54 / 55 187ms / 813ms
p16-7-0-0.r01.mclnva02.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.5.11 10 204ms 229ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1485ms
p16-0-1-0.r21.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.181 11 203ms 222ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 797ms
p16-4-0-0.r02.asbnva01.us.bb.verio.net 129.250.2.63 12 203ms 245ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1328ms
ge-1-2.a00.asbnva01.us.ra.verio.net 129.250.26.113 13 203ms 320ms 1% 54 / 55 187ms / 1515ms
ge49.r1.vadc1.eicomm.net 168.143.105.78 14 219ms 277ms 0% 55 / 55 187ms / 1500ms
* Unknown Host * 168.143.107.162 15 219ms 223ms 1% 53 / 54 187ms / 1547ms


That was the result of Anandtech.






ge-1-2.a00.asbnva01.us.ra.verio.net 129.250.26.113 13 203ms 320ms 1% 54 / 55


That was the first thing to lose a packet.








Here is a random CS server....


Host Name IP Address Hop Ping Time Ping Avg % Loss Pkts r/s Ping best/worst
netblock-66.51.199.51.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.51 1 141ms 140ms 1% 87 / 88 109ms / 828ms
ge6-0.core.monster.dslextreme.com 66.51.199.133 2 125ms 139ms 0% 88 / 88 109ms / 1500ms
gigabitethernet5-1-115.ipcolo1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 63.209.70.133 3 125ms 142ms 0% 88 / 88 93ms / 781ms
gigabitethernet3-2.core1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.244.10.253 4 125ms 146ms 0% 88 / 88 109ms / 1469ms
so-4-0-0.mp1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 209.247.10.193 5 125ms 129ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 750ms
gige8-1.hsipaccess1.LosAngeles1.Level3.net 64.159.1.201 6 125ms 131ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 797ms
unknown.Level3.net 209.245.88.110 7 125ms 147ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 813ms
core-01-ge-0-2-0-0.lsag.twtelecom.net 168.215.54.93 8 187ms 235ms 0% 87 / 87 172ms / 1532ms
tagg-01-pos-0-0-0.lsag.twtelecom.net 206.169.72.58 9 125ms 164ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 1453ms
206-169-72-86.gen.twtelecom.net 206.169.72.86 10 141ms 172ms 0% 87 / 87 110ms / 1515ms
* Unknown Host * 69.39.192.218 11 140ms 139ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 297ms
* Unknown Host * 69.39.200.36 12 141ms 153ms 0% 87 / 87 109ms / 828ms


The only packet loss occured when sedning the 2/3 one in that...

now i'm going to try that server...if it lags and does what it normally does i'll tell you