Weird connection drops..............

[VH5150]

I just recently reinstalled Windows ME(clean reinstall)and i've since been having connection drops with my LAN. I'm using the same hardware, same BIOS, and reinstalled the same software i had before the disk wipe.
This is how my cards are set up
AGP slot-GF3

PCI 1-empty
PCI 2-empty
PCI 3-SohoWare ethernet card(worked in the spot forever with no problems)
PCI 4-Santa Cruz
PCI 5-empty

I have the IRQs set on auto in the BIOS and never had a problem with it.

I noticed i am getting connection drops alot in Unreal Tournament online. If i close UT out after it drops and try to got to a website in my browser i get the white screen that says detect network settings. If i keep trying the site will eventually load up.

I've uploaded and downloaded large files to my server, and downloaded streaming media and the connection doesn't drop. It just seems to happen when there's rapid sending and recieving going on like in a online game. I've tried different PCI slots and IRQs for my network card and same stuff.It's been in it's current slot and has used the same IRQ for ages.

 

[TechMasterChen]

Make sure you only have one protocol installed for your network, that would probably be TCP/IP. Try Removing any IPX or NETBEUI protocols.

 

[VH5150]

Damnit, i'm stumped people. I'll admit it. My service provider has said two times no problems in my area. The modem lights on both cable modems(original and the stand-in) show a solid connection. The transfer lights on both modems show information being sent. The transfer lights on the TWO nic cards i tried(the original and the replacement, same cards) show a 100 mps connection(yellow light) and the second light(green) show information being transferred. All should be well. But, i'm still getting drops, often with a different modem and nic card, and i have no idea what is up at this point. I also elimnitated every other network driver and i'm still getting crap.

Same hardware, same software(clean Windows install, no errors at all, runs perfect, as before), same PCI slots, same IRQ's, same BIOS. I'm almost tempted to flash to the older BIOS i was using four months ago(this problem started two weeks ago) just to see, i don't know. I hate flashing the BIOS just to throw the dice with this stuff.

Or my provider is BSing me and i have to wait, but i'm showing a solid connection and information being transferred so i think it's on my end.

 

[Ryukumu]

Are you sure it's not the server you're connecting to? Are you running the latest version of UT? Sounds to me like you've done everything you can to fix this on your end, and if otherwise your net connection is rock-solid reliable (save for known outages) then maybe it's a problem with UT or the server you're playing off of.

 

[VH5150]

It looks like it has to be my service provider. lol. I give up, it wasn't that bad tonight so it it has to be them. That's the only variable i can't control.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Ummm.... cable modem? Hehehe..... that may very well explain your problems right there. Excite@HOME is going out of business. They just signed an agreement with Comcast and a few other local providers to keep the network running for 3 more months, but all AT&T@HOME users were cut. They should have been transfered to AT&T's own cable network by now. The other providers are all working on transitioning everyone off EXCITE@HOME's network and onto their own networks or another cable modem's network. As such even if you are not a customer of EXCITE@HOME you may very well be experiencing issues due to the sudden increase of new users on the system you use. If you are an EXCITE@HOME cutomer and havn't been transitioned off, you may be experiencing transition woes (or the effects of EXCITE slowly shutting off their network equipment and servers).

Now that being said, good luck.