|
|
|
Noob
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/18/2007 2:05 PM
Posts: 4,
Visits: 7
|
|
I have a wireless network based around an Airport Express base station. Three Notebook PCs are connected to it at most times, one mine and two others.
When the other two computers and/or other machines, including PDAs, Nintendo-DSs, etc., in any combination are connected there are no problems at all.
As soon as my computer is using the network heavily, for example playing a Steam game, then all the network slows to a halt and nobody can do anything at all. If I disconnect it all returns to normal. This is using a WiFi card or LAN cable (through an other machine).
What would cause the network to grind to a standstill only when my computer is connected and using the network for a game?
When surfing or even downloading a file there is no problem, only when gaming...
And it is only with my machine, no other device...
I can't find anything to explain it at this end and am completely stumped. Google turns up nothing and I'm rather stuck.
HELP!!! 
|
|
|
|
|
ELN Board Member, Bigfoot Networks CEO
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 9/8/2008 7:13 PM
Posts: 266,
Visits: 636
|
|
I can see nothing in the Airport Express device (From Apple) that would indicate that gaming through it would be a problem.
It's just a wireless hub after all.
The issue may be 1.) your ISP. [what is it? how much upstream + downstream bandwidth is allocated]
2.) your 'game' may be downloading files in the background hogging bandwidth.
3.) it may be related to your ISP's firewall or port issues... e.g. limited number of connections allowed.
Have you tried any other devices than the Airport?
Maybe the Airport does have some limitation, I'm not aware of [and is adding latency to peoples browsing cause you are gamign]
Hope this helps
Tytus
-------------------------
[ELN]Tytus - EndLagNow.ORG
Member of the Board of Directors of ELN
CEO + Mad Scientist of Bigfoot Networks, Inc.
http://www.bigfootnetworks.com
|
|
|
|
|
Noob
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/18/2007 2:05 PM
Posts: 4,
Visits: 7
|
|
Well, it only happens when my machine is connected to a game. Any combination of the other devices or all of them together causes no problems. So I assume it is a problem/setting with my machine. It could be the ISP but then I wouldn't expect it to be specific to my machine. The Bigfoot Network Lag Meter shows it to all be network lag (sever and host lag doesn't change much at all). I have only run it on one machine though so maybe I should log the lag on all three machines over a period of time in different combinations and then come back.
I am stumped as to what would cause such a specific problem at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
Noob
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/18/2007 2:05 PM
Posts: 4,
Visits: 7
|
|
As I suspected it was software/settings related with Steam.
I logged on to my Steam install using a different account, lag went away...
I thought that was very odd, so I deleted all my user specific Steam contents. Voilà, it all returned to stable and normal operation!
I think it all got screwed up when my WiFi MiniPCI card 'exploded' causing a BSOD, wiping my BIOS and stopping my HDDs (causing data corruption).
At least it is resolved now and it isn't a major hardware or infrastructure problem. Now all I have to do is chase up my ISP about being given the wrong speed service package.
|
|
|
|
|
Noob
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/18/2007 2:05 PM
Posts: 4,
Visits: 7
|
|
| The files have returned and so has the lag... It is the files that cause it though... Very odd...
|
|
|
|
|
ELN Board Member, Bigfoot Networks CEO
Group: Administrators
Last Login: 9/8/2008 7:13 PM
Posts: 266,
Visits: 636
|
|
Hmm, if Steam is causing slowdowns... it could be your network card drivers cuasing the problem.
try updating it's bios and/or drivers to the latest.
Steam using some really weird function calls, and not all network cards work well.
and yes, by network card, i mean your wireless card.
Tytus
p.s. or just don't play steam games, but for me, that's not an option.
-------------------------
[ELN]Tytus - EndLagNow.ORG
Member of the Board of Directors of ELN
CEO + Mad Scientist of Bigfoot Networks, Inc.
http://www.bigfootnetworks.com
|
|
|
|
