Internet problem

[PlutonianEmpire]

I didn't know where else to put this, so i put it here.

Ok, after running hi-demand programs such as FS9 for long periods of time, my computer refuses to connect to the internet. This especially ticked me off when during fs9 multiplayer sessions (which I just learned how to do an hour or 2 ago), it would suddenly disconnect. Even my zone alarm failed to reveal anything. I'm thinking it's something with my computer or our home's satelite wireless network.

My computer is a dell inspiron 8600 widescreen wireless laptop, 60 gig hd, 256 megs of ram, Nvidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics card, 1.4 gigahertz processor. Our wireless network is a DirecWay DW6000 thingy.

Can anyone help?

[NicksFXHouse]

I didn't know where else to put this, so i put it here.

Ok, after running hi-demand programs such as FS9 for long periods of time, my computer refuses to connect to the internet. This especially ticked me off when during fs9 multiplayer sessions (which I just learned how to do an hour or 2 ago), it would suddenly disconnect. Even my zone alarm failed to reveal anything. I'm thinking it's something with my computer or our home's satelite wireless network.

My computer is a dell inspiron 8600 widescreen wireless laptop, 60 gig hd, 256 megs of ram, Nvidia GeForce FX Go5200 graphics card, 1.4 gigahertz processor. Our wireless network is a DirecWay DW6000 thingy.

Can anyone help?

Tough to say... you need to track it down when the connection is lost. Start pinging the different gateways on the network. In other words, ping the router address and if you get no response and you are sure you pinged the correct address, the problem is your tower.

Usually the address of a router is 192.168.1.1. If you ping the router using a command prompt and get a response, next ping the gateway of the router, usually 10.0.0.2. Then ping the main internet input modem or input demux for cable/receiver. That gateway is usually 10.0.0.1 but those numbers are based on your system and may not be the same as what I post here.

If you get a response all the way back to the main gateway, next ping a website. Google works great.

Where ever you do not get a response is where the signal has stopped. Assuming everything works but pinging Google, the problem is your ISP or sat signal.

Many routers have NAT firewalls that can also cause drop-offs, especially on game rigs because of the traffic. Older Linksys routers are notorious for drop-offs like that. The problem was the router/BIOS and Linksys has since fixed them with the newer models.

[ctjoyce]

I disagree. I think your laptop is swamped. 256MB of RAM is barely enough. I think that FS is useing all the resources that say your network would, and so its just taking a long time for you to get them back. I suggest upgrading to a GB of memory.

Cheers
Cameron

[PlutonianEmpire]

How much does it cost to add more ram to a laptop?

Also, would it be wise to take the computer to some sort of shop that will upgrade all the parts (because it's a laptop crammed to the brink with stuff), if so, how much would that cost? Or can I go ahead, simply buy a 512 meg ram card, and install it to my computer somehow?

[congo]

It could just be something as simple as a dodgy wireless connection to the router dropping out or a dodgy Satellite connection.

You have two undesirable elements for an online gaming connection, Wireless, and Satellite.

Perhaps, try a wired connection to the router with an ethernet cable if you can to rule out any wireless connectivity problems.

Satellite truly sucks for gaming because of the large pings, but if there are any dropouts on that, you'll see what you are experiencing.

[congo]

How much does it cost to add more ram to a laptop?

Also, would it be wise to take the computer to some sort of shop that will upgrade all the parts (because it's a laptop crammed to the brink with stuff), if so, how much would that cost? Or can I go ahead, simply buy a 512 meg ram card, and install it to my computer somehow?

Ram is fairly cheap. Look on the net for the price you can expect to pay. Ram is easily installed, just buy the right kind.

A hard disk

[PlutonianEmpire]

Ram is fairly cheap. Look on the net for the price you can expect to pay. Ram is easily installed, just buy the right kind.

A hard disk  "Crammed Full" is going to cause problems, get plenty of free space happening or get a larger or external drive and then clear out the 60gb drive to half full or less if possible.

Don't worry, i have 42% freespace left. By crammed, i meant the laptop itself has a lot of stuff all "crammed" together in a small space, whereas in a computer tower, you have plenty of empty air to cram stuff into.

[PlutonianEmpire]

It could just be something as simple as a dodgy wireless connection to the router dropping out or a dodgy Satellite connection.

You have two undesirable elements for an online gaming connection, Wireless, and Satellite.

Perhaps, try a wired connection to the router with an ethernet cable if you can to rule out any wireless connectivity problems.

Satellite truly sucks for gaming because of the large pings, but if there are any dropouts on that, you'll see what you are experiencing.

It's definitely not the satellite, because it only stops pinging during storms, so it's definitely my wireless connection to the network, not the sattellite, since it's pretty clear skies outside right now.

[congo]

Well, it's not definitley the wireless , but it's a possibility.

It could be a number of things, including background software running unknown to you. Best to disable/uninstall any no-essential components when diagnosing.

[PlutonianEmpire]

would having more ram require a faster processor?

[congo]

No, Your Lack of ram is holding back your current CPU.

Windows XP uses around 120mb for itself, that doesn't leave you with enough ram for other background processes and applications like FS9.

Lets use the analogy of swinging a cat on a string, (my favorite, and no, I don''t treat my cat like this).

If you try to swing the cat in a 256cm square room, you cant swing it fast or far, it will hit the walls, slow down and squeal! But if you swing the cat in a 512cm square room or bigger, like a 1024cm square room, you can really get that cat swinging fast.

The CPU requires room to process information, and extra ram provides that memory space.

2gb of ram gives you the ability to swing a cat in each hand without hitting the walls, even if you wander around a bit!

[PlutonianEmpire]

and all for just $281.90 lol

Question though, how much would adding 2 gigs of RAM improve my FS9 experience?

[NicksFXHouse]

My entire house is wireless, including the signals to the video and sound systems. The main gateway is located in the attic for obvious reasons. I was once plagued by drop-offs with high internet activity or other conditions which turned out to be a combination of Linksys router and signal level.

Once I obtained a WRT54GS version #5 router, installed a hacked BIOS and boosted the gain to 80mw (10-15mw is factory and FCC says no more than 100) I have never had any problems.


Low memory can definitely cause problems however I would make sure of the network by running a trace diagnostic without rebooting the next time it happens.


As for more memory for FS9, I would not run less than a 1gig. I run 2.

[ctjoyce]

Once I obtained a WRT54GS version #5 router, installed a hacked BIOS and boosted the gain to 80mw (10-15mw is factory and FCC says no more than 100) I have never had any problems.

Eh Ive got a speedboost, and not the biggest fan. I'm a bigger fan of the Netgear RangeMax.

Cheers
Cameron

[NicksFXHouse]

Eh Ive got a speedboost, and not the biggest fan. I'm a bigger fan of the Netgear RangeMax.

Cheers
Cameron

That aint speedboost.. speedboost does not transmit @ 80mw