Connection problem, only when playing games

[dslDan33]

Here's my problem. When I play games online such as Colin McRae 2 or Spearhead (Medal of Honour expansion), and my wife picks up the phone and starts to talk, the game starts to lag.

In Colin McRae 2, the game lags so bad, my computer sometime freezes. In Spearhead, it lags big time but seems to reset after a while and then becomes playable (with a higher ping).

Called my ISP and they claim that they don't support the fact that its the game that causes the lag. The guy mentionned that the game might be using too much bandwith and when the phone gets off the hook or answering machine kicks in (it also has priority) that this is the cause of my problem. Also said that I should just not pick up the phone when playing - why did I get highspeed then?

I'm not a electronic engineer, but shouldn't the phone and internet use distinct frequencies as to not mesh or interfere with each other?

Edit:

I now have RJ45 (25 feet) that goes from my computer to my modem along with 2 feet of RJ11 that goes from my modem to the jack. (it was the other way around before following suggestion of ISP) Other phone on other jack is plugged into the filter in the jack.

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by dslDan33
I now have RJ45 (25 feet) that goes from my computer to my modem along with 2 feet of RJ11 that goes from my modem to the jack. (it was the other way around before following suggestion of ISP) Other phone on other jack is plugged into the filter in the jack. That sounds like it should help. As to your question the phone and the modem do work at two different frequencies,,, and they shouldn't interfere with each other.

What will interfere is noise,, having that long of RJ11 cable to the modem is a no no. That should help but if you are still having problems you could have a bad phone spewing noise onto the line.

[dslDan33]

Thanks.

I've yet to try a different phone. We have a wireless 2.4 Ghz phone and a GE answering machine. It's funny, I can't remember havnig problems before... just latelly. I guess I wasn't gaming enough to notice :D

[crazyjw1971]

Originally posted by BlackSword
... you could have a bad phone spewing noise onto the line.

I agree. I was thinking the same thing.

Maybe the noise on the line is...

No. I better not say that.

:D

JUST KIDDING!!!

[dslDan33]

BlackSword, could it be bad jacks?

[Old Fart]

There are two methods for filtering aDSL lines. Individual filters on each piece of equipment or actually splitting the signal.

If you place a filter (http://www.2wire.com/home/adap_fil.html#filters) on each phone in the house, you will keep the DSL signal from reaching the phone itself and interfereing with the phone's quality of service.

If you are experiencing impacted DSL service as you describe, I would suggest a splitter (http://www.wilcominc.com/pdf/Ps15.pdf)

The splitter, if put in place between the telco jack/wires in the NID and the house wiring, removes DSL from the voice lines, and dialtone from the DSL (ATUR/Modem jack on the splitter)

What you describe sounds like a tip to ground short. That is something you might want to have the Telco look at from a repair perspective, because no filter/splitter is going to clean that up.

[dslDan33]

Called my ISP to find out how much it would be to have a technician come to my house, $99 CDN... freakin' expensive, and that just brings him to my door! :)

The support guy at the other end made me go thru my problem again and suggested I tack on all my filters one after the other and plug my cordless phone into that (instead of just one). He said that this could possibly help by making sure that both phone and internet wouldn't interfere with each other. I haven't tried it yet, but as a heads up to other people that are having the same problems that it might be a solution.

I will confirm when I have the chance_.

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by dslDan33
The support guy at the other end made me go thru my problem again and suggested I tack on all my filters one after the other and plug my cordless phone into that (instead of just one). He said that this could possibly help by making sure that both phone and internet wouldn't interfere with each other. That sounds funny,,,,

Try disconnecting all phones and see if you still have the problem,, if you do then it is not a phone issue.

[dslDan33]

It actually worked... I think... Got a call and the game didn't lag... I'll have to try with another game to make sure, but so far so good...

[goodbadboy01]

carrier to noise is mans worst issue in the internet ream