High ping problem

[Swin123]

Over the past couple weeks my comcast internet has been extremely laggy off and on, not particular at night (most at random.) Extremely high ping in World of Warcraft and very noticeble when surfing the internet. It's not consistently laggy, but more often than not.

I've tried a Defrag, Cleanup!, Ad-aware 2007, and Spybot.

Any help would be appreciated, <3 Comcast!!!

[Swin123]

« SpeedGuide.net TCP Analyzer Results »
Tested on: 01.04.2008 18:29
IP address: 69.143.xxx.xx

TCP options string: 020405b40103030101010402
MSS: 1460
MTU: 1500
TCP Window: 130640 (NOT multiple of MSS)
RWIN Scaling: 1
Unscaled RWIN : 65320
Reccomended RWINs: 64240, 128480, 256960, 513920
BDP limit (200ms): 5226kbps (653KBytes/s)
BDP limit (500ms): 2090kbps (261KBytes/s)
MTU Discovery: ON
TTL: 48
Timestamps: OFF
SACKs: ON
IP ToS: 00000000 (0)

[trogers]

Turn off power to your router and modem for 10 mins.

Try the following with TCP Optimizer:

General Settings tab:
Custom settings - check
Modify All Network Adapters - check
network adapter selection - your NIC
MTU 1500
TTL - 64
TCP Receive Window - 256960
MTU Discovery - Yes
Black Hole Detect - No
Selective Acks - Yes
Max Duplicate ACKs - 2
TCP 1323 Options:
Windows Scaling - checked
Timestamps - uncheck

Advanced Settings tab:
Max Connections per Server - 10
Max Connections per 1.0 Server - 20
LocalPriority - 1
Host Priority - 1
DNSPriority - 1
NetbtPriority - 1
Lan Browsing speedup - optimized
QoS: NonBestEffortLimit - 0
ToS: DisableUserTOSSetting - 0
ToS: DefaultTOSValue - 80
MaxNegativeCacheTtl - 0
NetFailureCacheTime - 0
NegativeSOACache Time - 0
LAN Request Buffer Size - 32768
Then select "Apply Changes" and reboot to take effect

[Swin123]

Didn't seem to help. Still experiencing high latency.

[trogers]

Didn't seem to help. Still experiencing high latency.

Did you turn off power to your signal devices for 10 mins?

[Swin123]

Yes I did.

[trogers]

Do a tracert to www.yahoo.com and post.

[Swin123]

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>tracert yahoo.com

Tracing route to yahoo.com [66.94.234.13]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms 3 ms 3 ms 192.168.1.1
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 13 ms 11 ms * ge-1-22-ur01.hyattsville.md.bad.comcast.net [68.
87.136.113]
4 11 ms 11 ms 11 ms te-9-3-ur02.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.129
.46]
5 12 ms 11 ms * te-9-1-ur01.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.129
.61]
6 14 ms 16 ms 19 ms te-9-1-ur01.bowie.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.128.
177]
7 12 ms 11 ms * te-8-2-ar01.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net [68.
87.128.182]
8 9 ms 12 ms 12 ms po-90-ar02.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net [68.8
6.252.214]
9 * 14 ms 13 ms COMCAST-IP.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [63.210.
62.58]
10 13 ms 13 ms 16 ms xe-9-0-0.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [63.210.62
.57]
11 14 ms 14 ms 28 ms ae-31-89.car1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.17.13
1]
12 16 ms 13 ms 14 ms 4.79.228.2
13 87 ms 88 ms 89 ms so-0-0-0.pat1.pao.yahoo.com [216.115.101.128]
14 91 ms 94 ms * ge-4-0-0-p440.msr1.scd.yahoo.com [216.115.106.20
1]
15 88 ms 91 ms 87 ms ten-1-3-bas1.scd.yahoo.com [66.218.82.217]
16 88 ms 90 ms 84 ms w2.rc.vip.scd.yahoo.com [66.94.234.13]

Trace complete.

[trogers]

Seems signal problem starts at hop 3 - along the connection from your modem to your ISP's switch. Was there bad weather recently that may have affected the connection line outside the house?

[Swin123]

Well, not really bad weather (although it can get pretty cold/windy) We had a problem like this in the past and they went to the electrical box and found that the wire went straight down at a 90 degree angle. They fixed it and it's been fine for about a year now.

[Sava700]

what modem are you using?

Have you called them on it and asked about it?

[Swin123]

The comcast guy is coming out tomorrow to check it out. He said the modem (Scientific Atlanta - DPC2100 Series) could be outdated, but it's not that old. They said they did notice some interference.

[Sava700]

The comcast guy is coming out tomorrow to check it out. He said the modem (Scientific Atlanta - DPC2100 Series) could be outdated, but it's not that old. They said they did notice some interference.

Its supported but I would recommend the SB5120, here is a site with all the modems listed that supports for Comcast.

http://www.high-speed-internet-access.us/equipment.html

As you can see top of the page they reference the sb5120, thats what I use.

[Swin123]

So you think the modem/line is the problem?

[Swin123]

Do Routers make a huge difference when it comes to MMORPG's? If so, could you recommend a couple good ones?

[YARDofSTUF]

Do Routers make a huge difference when it comes to MMORPG's? If so, could you recommend a couple good ones?

A router is nice to have, offers NAT, you then dont need a software firewall. If you only want one for that reason any cheap linksys will do.

If you want to have wireless and plan to have more than 1 PC in the future a DLink GamerLounge would be best.

[Swin123]

I have a LinkSYS Wireless-G, but we are currently wired. (We tried wireless, but the computer upstairs was getting crazy interference because of the beams in the ceiling.)

[Sava700]

So you think the modem/line is the problem?

WOuldnt hurt going with a more modern modem..those 5120's are only about 40$

and a direct line from the box to your modem is a good idea too.


still, the problem could be from line noise to the pole or packetloss.

[YARDofSTUF]

I have a LinkSYS Wireless-G, but we are currently wired. (We tried wireless, but the computer upstairs was getting crazy interference because of the beams in the ceiling.)

Wired is better for gaming as well.

[Swin123]

The comcast guy is coming tomorrow, I'll see if they carry the modem you are suggesting. If not, I'll buy it myself.

Thanks for all your help, greatly appreciated. Happy New Year =)

[Sava700]

The comcast guy is coming tomorrow, I'll see if they carry the modem you are suggesting. If not, I'll buy it myself.

Thanks for all your help, greatly appreciated. Happy New Year =)

If you get it from them they will lease it to you for like 3-4$ a month..its not worth it...best to buy one yourself, it will pay for itself in a year at those amounts.

[Swin123]

Replaced both the modem and the router, doesn't seem to have fixed the problem.

[Sava700]

Replaced both the modem and the router, doesn't seem to have fixed the problem.

as I said it wouldn't hurt going with new hardware...but it still may be caused by packetloss or line issues that comcast will have to fix. I delt with major packetloss from April till about August if that tells you anything about how fast they like to fix stuff if its their problem. But at least you have new hardware and your on the path to eliminate anything on your end.

[Swin123]

I run an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+, 4.0GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT. What do you suggest?

[Sava700]

I run an AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+, 4.0GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GT. What do you suggest?

suggest for what? as long as your computer is clean of spyware,malware and viruses your covered on that end. It just seems to be line issues or packetloss from you to the node or farther on out.

If your looking for tweaking suggestions on your computer you've just opened up a big window for other threads.

[Swin123]

My computer runs fine. This issue with the internet started about 3 weeks ago and has been more on than off. Which makes me think as you say, packet loss or line issues. (which they checked today and didn't see anything wrong) What can I guy do for good internet...

They just laid some Verizon Fios cables, and that could be my next/ only step.

[Sava700]

My computer runs fine. This issue with the internet started about 3 weeks ago and has been more on than off. Which makes me think as you say, packet loss or line issues. (which they checked today and didn't see anything wrong) What can I guy do for good internet...

They just laid some Verizon Fios cables, and that could be my next/ only step.

You have to keep on them to fix it if your seeing packet loss.. use this program
www.pingplotter.com the home trial version is fine and set it to 1second trace intervals to say www.comcast.net and let it trace for a few hours during the morning,afternoon or all day if you want and watch the hops and how the packets trace to that location..if its showing major packetloss,drops, ERR's across the board then you are in deed having it and you have that program plus its saved files to show the tech next time you get one out to prove its their problem. I had to do that plus call their Exec Complaint center to get results.

[Swin123]

I had a similar problem to this last year and it took them a few months to fix. Simply put I'm fed up with it, so I'm seriously considering Fios. Anyone have any information on it.

[YARDofSTUF]

Comcast guy came and only replaced the modem or what?

[Swin123]

Replaced the modem, tested the signal (he said it was strong) and check the box outside and said everything looked fine.

[100 010 00]

a) you have interference....... your wires, modem, router is closed to subwoofers, televisions, ac wires, e.t.c.

b) you are not spyware free (possible trojan or worm)

c) check your switches (quality)

[Swin123]

My modem is up in the air, maybe a foot or so away from both my router, and voltage stabilizer. Should I increase the distance a few more feet if I can swing it?

[trogers]

Your tracert is timed out at hop 2 and thus we cannot really draw any conclusion about quality of signals between the comp and the modem. You need to disable your software firewall and/or the one in your router to enable ping times at hop 2.

[Swin123]

I disabled both the software firewall and the router firewall and here is the new tracer: (Still timing out at Hop 2)

Tracing route to www.yahoo-ht3.akadns.net [69.147.114.210]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 4294967293 ms 4294967293 ms <1 ms 192.168.1.1
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 16 ms 4 ms * ge-1-22-ur01.hyattsville.md.bad.comcast.net [68.
87.136.113]
4 4 ms 5 ms 4 ms te-9-3-ur02.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.129
.46]
5 * 10 ms 5 ms te-9-1-ur01.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.129
.61]
6 5 ms 5 ms 4 ms te-9-1-ur01.bowie.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87.128.
177]
7 5 ms 4 ms 9 ms te-8-2-ar01.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net [68.
87.128.182]
8 5 ms 5 ms 4 ms po-90-ar02.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net [68.8
6.252.214]
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 7 ms 7 ms 7 ms xe-11-1-0.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.79.231
.9]
11 8 ms 9 ms 6 ms ae-41-99.car1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.17.19
5]
12 7 ms 11 ms 7 ms 4.79.228.2
13 10 ms 7 ms 70 ms ge-2-1-0-p150.msr2.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.108.21
]
14 8 ms 7 ms 9 ms gi1-22.bas-a1.re3.yahoo.com [68.142.238.65]
15 7 ms 7 ms 7 ms f1.www.vip.re3.yahoo.com [69.147.114.210]

Trace complete.

[trogers]

This new tracert shows ultra high ping times between your comp and the router at hop 1.

This usually occurs under strong interference of wireless signals. Sources of interference are cordless phone or bluetooth device operating at the same 2.4 GHz frequency as the wireless router.

[Swin123]

No bluetooth devices anywhere, and I just moved my router 3 of so feet away from my modem. I do have a 5.8 GHz Vtech cordless phone about 3-4 feet away from it. Should I try increasing that distance a significant amount?

Edit: I also have a voltage stabilizer that I moved quite a bit away as well

[trogers]

No bluetooth devices anywhere, and I just moved my router 3 of so feet away from my modem. I do have a 5.8 GHz Vtech cordless phone about 3-4 feet away from it. Should I try increasing that distance a significant amount?

Edit: I also have a voltage stabilizer that I moved quite a bit away as well

Check the tech spec of your router. Some new models are now operating at 5.8 GHz and if so, the cordless phone will cause interference.

[Swin123]

Moved the phone across the room, and the voltage stabilizer 8 feet away. Here is the new tracer:

Tracing route to www.yahoo-ht3.akadns.net [69.147.114.210]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.1.1
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 12 ms 11 ms 9 ms ge-1-22-ur01.hyattsville.md.bad.comcast.net
7.136.113]
4 13 ms 9 ms 9 ms te-9-3-ur02.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.8
46]
5 11 ms 9 ms 21 ms te-9-1-ur01.lanham.md.bad.comcast.net [68.8
61]
6 11 ms 11 ms 10 ms te-9-1-ur01.bowie.md.bad.comcast.net [68.87
77]
7 13 ms 8 ms 11 ms te-8-2-ar01.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net
7.128.182]
8 8 ms 12 ms 10 ms po-90-ar02.capitolhghts.md.bad.comcast.net
.252.214]
9 11 ms 11 ms 11 ms COMCAST-IP.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.
.10]
10 14 ms 12 ms 13 ms xe-11-1-0.edge1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.7
9]
11 12 ms 12 ms 11 ms ae-41-99.car1.Washington1.Level3.net [4.68.
]
12 11 ms 12 ms 12 ms 4.79.228.2
13 15 ms 24 ms 12 ms ge-3-1-0-p140.msr1.re1.yahoo.com [216.115.1

14 13 ms 11 ms 14 ms gi1-22.bas-a1.re3.yahoo.com [68.142.238.65]
15 10 ms 11 ms 14 ms f1.www.vip.re3.yahoo.com [69.147.114.210]

[trogers]

Ping times are much better now. I suggest you uninstall your software firewall and clean the registry with CCleaner.

You do not need it as you are using a router with a built-in firewall.

Test speed and see if it is 90% of your paid speed.

[Swin123]

I use Norton and I disabled the firewall, should I uninstall it? And I've used CCleaner today already.

I did a speed test and It's higher than it's ever been:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/219194544.png

I'll hop on my game and see if it's still spiking high latency.

[trogers]

I use Norton and I disabled the firewall, should I uninstall it? And I've used CCleaner today already.

I did a speed test and It's higher than it's ever been:

http://www.speedtest.net/result/219194544.png

I'll hop on my game and see if it's still spiking high latency.

Norton is bulky and is known to cause slowdown due to a strain on the CPU.

Uninstall Norton and use Antivir as antivirus instead. You do not need any software firerwall.

[Sava700]

Yeah I agree remove Norton, there is even a Norton removal tool that Symantec puts out you could use to fully rid yourself of it.

As for another anti-virus my suggestion is Avast but others here will disagree..just my preference and what I've seen first hand that cleans well.

[Swin123]

Are these two Anti-Virus software you mentioned free? Or can I pick them up at a nearby Best-Buy or Circuit City? The lag seems to have come back by the way, after looking really good for a few hours.

[trogers]

Are these two Anti-Virus software you mentioned free? Or can I pick them up at a nearby Best-Buy or Circuit City? The lag seems to have come back by the way, after looking really good for a few hours.

Both are free. Search Google for them.

Power off your cordless phone and see if lag improves and stablises.

[Swin123]

Even though it's on a completely different circuit on the other side of the room?

[trogers]

Even though it's on a completely different circuit on the other side of the room?

As the interference is over the wireless realm, the wireless card of your comp may be alternatively picking up signals from the phone and the router when both are transmitting on the same frequency bandwidth.

Turn off power to the phone and see if interference is still present.

[Swin123]

Disconnected the phone and didn't fix the problem. Also took Norton off and got Antivir. Any other ideas?

[trogers]

Disconnected the phone and didn't fix the problem. Also took Norton off and got Antivir. Any other ideas?

Do a few tracert and see if you still get ultra high ping times at hop 1 with the phone disconnected. If yes, you have to try identifying what other electrical device may be emitting interference. Other know sources are heat pump, compressor of the refrigerator, microwave oven and flourescent lamps and energy saving bulbs as both these uses a starter.

[Swin123]

Ping times at hop 1 are very good. Still timing out at hop 2, what does that indicate?

[trogers]

Timed out in hop 2 is probably just blocking of ICMP pings by the firewall in your router (assuming you have completely removed Norton).

Press Crtl-Alt-Del to call out the Taskmaster and see if Norton is still present. If yes, you have to used the Norton removal tool mentioned by Sava700 to remove it completely.

Good ping times at hop 1 means there is no more interference of wireless signals.

[Swin123]

Another question to bring to the table as nothing you all have suggested has seemed to fix the problem. The second computer on the router upstairs doesn't seem to have the issue, or at least not from what I can tell. Computer issue?

[trogers]

Another question to bring to the table as nothing you all have suggested has seemed to fix the problem. The second computer on the router upstairs doesn't seem to have the issue, or at least not from what I can tell. Computer issue?

Same os, norton, tcp settings and wireless connection in the 2nd comp?

[Swin123]

Yeah, I took Norton off this computer and got Antivir... Problems still occurring. Everything on the two computers are identical, except for maybe undetected spyware or a virus.

[Sava700]

scan with superantispyware.com updated and see if it picks up anything.. also post a hijackthis log

[Swin123]

Scanned with Super Anti-Spyware - No such luck.

How does one post a Hijackthis log?

In my event viewer I am showing a lot of MrxSmb errors (event 8003), once an hour. What does this contribute to?

EDIT: I take that back, it found a Trojan.Media-Codec

[Popa_Mintin]

(We tried wireless, but the computer upstairs was getting crazy interference because of the beams in the ceiling.)

Of what maretial are these beams made ?

[Swin123]

So I used Ping Plotter and had Comcast ping the router from their end. Packets sent to Packets received were identical, so I am back to square one and can't think of anything else to do to help diagnose/fix the problem.

Any other suggestions? Maybe I'll have to switch ISP's and/or upgrade my computer?