Ping ping ping... where DID my ping go?

[Desmock]

Well here's a little problem hopefully SOMEONE can help me with. I just got my Cable internet about... oh I'd say 3 months ago. But it's all brand spanking new. The company just came here like 4 or 5 months ago. So it's not like it's an outdated system or anything of the sorts.

However... just starting a few days ago... I connected to a Quake 3 server and everything was just hunky dory. Then all of a sudden... BOOM, my connection ENTIRELY drops, I can't even browse or anything, let alone play my game. So I reset my computer and the modem is still down... so I reset the computer AND the modem and my connection is back up and running.

Thinking this was just a freak accident... I try playing again... and with the same results... though this time I don't need to reset the modem. So after about 3 times of this I give up and go to bed. The next day and the day after... my connection holds, so I'm not really worried... but then just today... well... my ping fluxes anywhere from 50 to 167 on a GOOD server... and on a server further away... oiy vey... no good at all.

So my question is... What the bloody hell just happened? Is it my CONNECTION? Did I make the wrong connection settings on my config? Is it my computer? Or do I have a virus? I really don't want this to keep up... lag spurts are definitely not my thing and this connection is basically brand spanking new... so this SHOULDNT be happening. Any help is mucho appreciated.

[Synthohol]

well before i kick out some ideas, how about we go through some tests to see if its your PC or your ISP.
go to dslreports/tools (http://www.dslreports.com/tools) do the line packet test, and speed test and please post the results, black out your IP address before posting pics with your IP in it.
ill be away from my pc for most of the day, at least until 5pm so if i dont respond maybe someone else could pick up where i left off until i get home.
thanx and we will get to the bottom of this!!!:D


btw i ping'd you 50 times and got a straight 107ms. comcast ain't that bad this morning.

[Desmock]

Well I FOUND the problem... I went to where you told me to go but for some reason, the Speed Tests weren't running... as in the Java Applet wouldn't even start. So I went to the tweak test and looked there... evidently my Selective Acks are turned off and my MTU isn't at 1500.

Now here's the REAL kicker in the gonads... for some reason, even when I try to change these settings with DRTCP... it WONT change. So... what do I do NOW?

[Desmock]

Also... here's another thing that worries me... my MTU was actually AT 1500, I set it there, and Selective Acks WAS on... so what CHANGED them? I don't download anything that could potentially harm my computer... at least I don't think I do... and this problem started WHILE I was connected to Quake.

[Desmock]

Another update... just tried the Speed Test... it shows a download speed but the upload... nadda, upload didn't show on the test.

[Player0]

Desmock,

On a cable modem, the upload bandwidth is used to keep the cable modem 'synced' with the internet service. I found this out after spending a few hours with a top level cable tech at my house trying to solve my similar issue. (this was after 4 other techs came and left without fixing the issue). A weak upload signal is what causes cable modems to go 'down'. It just so happens that uploading any sort of information will further weaken the signal. IE, uploading data can cause cable modems to go down!!

When you are playing an online game, you are using a lot of upload bandwidth. So your upload signal is weak (and if you ever get a tech there with a meter, im sure he would tell you the same thing).

Basically you have a weak signal, and so I would make sure that your cable modem is properly installed, that you have RG6 cable in the house, and aren't splitting the cable modem signal with any splitter that sais -dB on it. Anything that has a negative dB rating means it reduces signal power. You can get a special splitter (not amplified) that sends 100% of the signal to the cable modem without dropping the signal level. Ask your cable company about this (a decent tech will know what you are talking about). I would definitely get a tech there.

Regarding MTU, what operating system are you using? I wouldnt set an MTU higher than 1492 for optimum performance (its the highest that winsock and most rotuers/switches allow, setting to 1500 will just make thigns operate at 1492 anyway I think). If you are using XP, dont bother changing the settings. 2k, 98, etc...they always benefit from some tweaking. These settings WONT affect cable line stability. They will only make more/less efficient use of the bandwidth available.

[Desmock]

Just peachy... so what you're saying is my upload speed is dropping due to a splitter? That's not exactly good news... here I was hoping it was OS related. I'm using Windows 98 currently and I have my connection settings tweaked to the best of what they can be. What I'm probably gonna do is call up Comcast and ask them for this thing you're telling me to get.

I tried uncapping it... however, sadly, my model is a newer Motorola Surfboard and is uncappable... sometimes I hate new things so very much. Oh well... anyways, thank you for the help... I just wish it was a software or OS problem instead of a hardware problem.

[Desmock]

Well I just looked at my splitter... and my TVs care connected to a 7dB and my cable modem is connected to a 3.5dB... is this good or bad?

[Player0]

It's not bad for 3.5. In fact, most people use dB loss splitters like that. They're fine to use if you have adequate cable modem upload signal. I didn't. Also, make sure the splitter is rated for 1000mhz or more. Usually 1100-1300 is normal for cable modem splitters.

Now, with that said, fixing the splitter may not be the best route for you. Again, the signal is already weak, the splitter just makes it worse. You can try temporarily removing the splitter and just running the cable line directly to the cable modem with no other TVs attached (you may need a male-male F connector, $.99 at any radio shack). If the cable modem doesnt go down, that could confirm the signal problems.

The problems could stem from inproper cabling or a bad grounding block (outside the house usually, where the cable line is grounded). You can replace all the parts without success, so really, get the cable company involvde. I know so many people who put up with cable modems that go down once every few days, but the problem is resolvable. Of course, cable companies dont send their best techs out right away, so expect a few calls and visits.

If you want to try it yourself, try bypassing the splitter, if that works... a new 0db loss splitter might be all you need. You can try replacing the grounding block, as even ones in good shape are still exposed to the weather. Make sure all the cable in the house is RG6. Not RG59. And if you have spliters with open 'terminals', make sure you cap them with some F connector load caps (all stuff available at radio shack). You mustnt have open wires or terminals on your cable system, any unused jack must be terminated with a cap and any unused wires should be stripped off. You should get a decent signal increase from that.

[Player0]

Oh, one other thing. Cable companies sometimes install taps on the line. They are basically filters that prevent people from stealing HBO or Porn channels. All taps need to be removed on a cable modem installation, but many times, any taps are left on by mistake! This also happened to me and reduced my signal (I was paying for HBO at the time anyway) but the cable guy removed it when he installed new RG6 cable.

[Player0]

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/cabletech?text=1

[Desmock]

I checked the splitter again, it's 1000Mhz even, not 1100 or 1300. I'll try bypassing the splitter like you suggested, and see if that helps. But one thing makes me curious... about all those other problems... they sound like things that would instantly effect a cable connection... not gradually... I JUST go tthis problem a few days ago, before that it was the fastest connection I had ever owned. So... are these problems gradual things?

[Player0]

Maybe. If enough people in your neighborhood add extra tvs or something, it can lower the signal strength just enough to cause problems. The summer weather can also create problems with exposed and older cables. There are dozens of factors that can reduce signal and cause the cable modem to go out. It may have even been a fluke.