Packet Loss in gaming...

[MikeV]

I recently got COX's 'Ultimate Internet' which is the best they have. It's really fast with surfing/downloading/uploading/etc.

The only thing is when I go in-game, whether it be TF2/L4D2/CoD/HL2-DM/etc, I'll have low ping (which is great) but I'll get a consistent freeze/stutter/time-warp skip...frequently. Like, I can run in a line for 6 seconds, then freeze/skip for a second, run in a line, then another freeze/skip after 6 seconds.

I've got a SURFboard 6180 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem (no router/wireless). I've got a line running from the wall in my apartment to the modem and then an ethernet cord from the modem to my laptop.

My laptop specs:

Sager NP8662
Intel Core Duo T9900 3.07GHz
8 GB RAM
nVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M
Windows 7 - 64 Bit







I've talked with COX's Tech Support multiple times about it. I actually just got done having a guy come out to my place to replace the line and the modem.....but I still have packet loss. I just don't get it.

I previously had an Alltel Wireless Internet Card (although Version bought them). The internet wasn't that fast and my ping was always high. BUT...I never had this packet loss problem.

I've unplugged/unscrewed/rebooted/turned off firewalls/disabled wireless......nothing seems to help.

And changing my ISP isn't really an option right now as there's not much available where I'm at here in Tucson, AZ.

If anyone is knowledgeable about this, I would greatly appreciate some help because this is so damn frustrating.

[Mattie]

Here's what I would do, I would go to start menu, type "cmd", hit enter, and then type "ping -t google.com" and let it run for a while.

Look for time returned to have some major variation or look for packet loss.

Provide that info to your ISP if you see major jumps or major packet loss.

The freeze/skip almost sounds like a machine issue (something running in background, anti-virus, etc) rather than the network. While you're playing you can type "net_graph 3" in console and watch to see when the delay happens. Does the entire game freeze or only the network traffic? That graph will help pinpoint when the network itself is losing info.

-Mattie

[MikeV]

Here's what I would do, I would go to start menu, type "cmd", hit enter, and then type "ping -t google.com" and let it run for a while.

Look for time returned to have some major variation or look for packet loss.

Yeah, when I had the Tech come out not long ago, we did that for like 5 minutes and the packet loss was 4%. He was like "Well, 5% is the unacceptable number blah blah blah". Got pretty pissed with that.

With the freezing, the whole game freezes. But it doesn't always freeze. It'll either be a freeze or a quick skip or a huge warp.

I'll do the 'net_graph 3' thingy.

EDIT:

Here's some screenies I took with net_graph 3:

[TheDopp]

I could be wrong here because I haven't had a surfboard in ages, but don't they have an internal diagnostic page on them? I'd attempt the ping there.

Also try ping -n 100 -l 1024 (or 1400 which I think is the default size for Steam) google.com
-l is the switch that allows you to increase/decrease the packet size.

Does this happen immediately, or after a a bit of time playing? Or a time of day?

I know Cox in phoenix is a rats nest of old cable provider lines and satellite line of sight issues in some neighborhoods, but don't know about Tuscon.

[MikeV]

Does this happen immediately, or after a a bit of time playing? Or a time of day?

Not long after I join any game, it'll happen, and frequently, non-stop. It'll be smooth, then a freeze/skip, smooth, freeze/skip, etc.

And it's happened every time of the day. Morning, afternoon, evening.

[GIJoe]

61MB/s download speed makes me cry....I can't even get 1 most of the time ;_;

Regarding the packet loss....are you ever downloading anything outside of steam while you're running the games....I find my games have exactly the same problems if I'm doing so, and when the downloads are paused it's cleared up.

[MikeV]

...are you ever downloading anything outside of steam while you're running the games....I find my games have exactly the same problems if I'm doing so, and when the downloads are paused it's cleared up.

Nothing.

[CrazyReed]

I once had Covad DSL at 80Mbz a second, but the packet loss was horrible for anything but downloading. Cable is where it's at, you would rather have dialup. Incendentally, it won't affect your skill as a demoman.

[Norbule]

What are your rate, cl_updaterate, and cl_cmdrate settings at ingame(specifically for Source games)? Also, have you recently switched to Windows 7?

Also, if I'm reading your post correctly, you were using wireless before and now are using wired?

[MikeV]

What are your rate, cl_updaterate, and cl_cmdrate settings at ingame(specifically for Source games)? Also, have you recently switched to Windows 7?

Also, if I'm reading your post correctly, you were using wireless before and now are using wired?

Yeah I'm using Windows 7 (for awhile now). I dunno the rates I have, I'm at work right now.

I have an Alltel/Version Wireless Internet card that isn't as fast and gives me high ping. But it doesn't freeze/skip like this faster internet does