Any IT experts here?

[M ANSARI]

I have been having a terrible time with my Playchess account trying to get a decent set of games on the server. I first thought that it had something to do with my overclocking of the computer I am using ... but since then I have tried default settings with exactly the same problems. I thus think the problem is with my adaptive DSL modem (I am apparently in an area that requires that)... where it goes up and down in bandwidth and has quite a few total loss of data for a few seconds then goes back on. Appparently that causes havoc with the Playchess software and all sort of wierd things happen. I get disconnected from the server and when I try to reconnect, it refuses because it says I am already connected! Also many times when I finish a game, the window stays on the win draw or loss ... for maybe 3 or 4 minutes ... then works again normally. Sometimes it then puts me as human ... yet pairs me against another computer ... then I have to play the moves myself and it is counted as a computer game!!!

I have since thought of using 2 seperate DSL lines to get more redundancy ... I did some research on the subject and came across some load balancing dual WLAN modems. Does anyone have any idea if that works well? It seems that would be perfect since if one DSL line fails the other one takes over ... I only wonder if it is as seemless as it seems. Which is the best one out there? I have seen EDIMAX versions which can use up to 8 independent lines and load balance all of them. It almost seems too good to be true. I am thinking of buying the EDIMAX 724 which is available from AMAZON and thus very easy for me to order it. Has anyone used it or tried a similar device?

[AdminX]

Have you done ping test on your connection, if so what are your reponse times? Are those reponse times normal for your ISP. If you go Dual, can you bond your DSL modems for faster response times. I know that bonding worked well back in the dialup 56k modem days. What other networking items do you have? Router maybe, if so have you checked the settings on your router (ex. QoS, Keep Alive)? Also make sure that you do have any un-needed services running. I can't speak for others but when I play online I like to listen to streaming internet radio while I play, however even this can eat bandwith and affect your connection. Anyway these are just a few thoughts to get you started. Look at things like MTU and TCP Window Size in your Windows Registry, but be careful when changing any settings there.

PS: It could also be faulty hardware somewhere. Also try running some test at DSL Reports.

[AdminX]

I took a look at the EDIMAX 724 router, looks fine to me. I see nothing wrong with it if thats what you want. I use two different Linksys Routers (300N and 54G), however I am using DD-WRT firmware on them that Linksys does not support but gives me more features. If you are interested in DD-WRT then check out the link below. It works on more the just Linksys. Its free by the way ....

Highlights of DD-WRT v24:
- Virtual SSIDs, Virtual DHCP-Servers, PPTP over WAN enhancements, Bridging + VLAN support, VDSL Support, OLSR-Routing / Freifunk, My Ad Network (powered by AnchorFree), Quaqqa instead of Bird (in X86 + Xscale default), PPPOE-Server, EOIP-Tunnel, Network configuration enhencements, UP-Downstream (QOS), New Packet Scheduler HFSC, Save & Apply, extended DDNS options, extended status information, New Languages, Sipwerk integrated Milkfish into the new release, turning every DD-WRT router into a SIP-aware firewall.

http://www.dd-wrt.com/dd-wrtv3/index.php

[M ANSARI]

My problem is that recentely the cables in our area have been replaced with new cables to replace the "old" cables. Obviously they were changed to inferior cables or maybe the connections are not good ... all I know is that my DSL connection is not like it was before and always cuts out. So the ISP has changed my DSL modem to an Adaptive Modem (Pardayne "far reach") to compensate for the problems. While this is OK for browsing ... it is horrible with Playchess as the ping can range from .13ms to 20+seconds ... this apparently causes all sorts of problems with the Playchess server software. I am quite sure I have narrowed it down to my having an adaptive modem ... and that the way it works is the problem. I never had a problem before they changed the cables. Apparently nobody is interested in fixing the cables because they have installed fiber optic cables as well ... but I have had fiber optic connected to my home for 3 years now and it has still not been activated and probably will not be for 10 years or more (that is how life is in a 3rd world country). When I put a phone on the DSL I can hear quite a bit of noise on the line sometimes ... although sometimes it is clean and I have complained about 20x for the authorities to fix it and to no avail. This is why I am thinking of putting another line for redundancy ... even though here it costs around $200 a month for 1mb DSL connection. Hopefully I will get 2mb on good days and at least keep a decent connection on bad days.

[terminator]

Your ISP should be able to perform line tests. Just call their tech support.

[shiv]

Ansari, I feel bad for you.

However, life is not much better in a first world country. I live in Silicon Valley, California and have struggled with DSL multiple times. First of all, I cannot get 1.5Mbps down without killing the signal on a daily basis, so I asked them to throttle it down to 1 Mbps. Still the connection is not very reliable, I have to call them every 3 weeks to report down time.

My phone line quality (on the same line that uses DSL) is really bad. I have filters etc, and have called the firm many times and at times they even sent technicians over, but to no avail (I still have very bad reception on my home phone line). The quality is so bad, that I rarely use my home phone line. This line is reserved for telemarketer calls. In addition, my cell phone has bad reception at home as well.

I have essentially resigned myself to the above problems. I am considering dumping DSL for cable modem. However, then I have to hope that my neighbors do not consume too much bandwidth.

Still, my current problems are a big improvement over my previous DSL provider with whom I experienced down time on a weekly basis.

Anyway, back to your problem. Is cable an option for you (both for primary use and also for redundancy)? It might make sense to use a cable line as a redundancy option as the technologies are different. DSL connections are from your central office, and an issue with the line is likely to impact other DSL providers as well.

There might be a playchess server lag involved. Do you see the same issues when going to other sites?

[Bill Rogers]

Shiv
I have a suggestion that might work for you. Being that I worked in the past for some general contractors in building new homes and doing some of the wireing. I noticed that in some of the older homes the wires used for the phone lines was inferior and was responsible for most problems like yours.
If you can locate where the phone line comes into your home and then run a new wire from that point to the place where you computer is hooked up you may just solve your problem.
Oh, by the way, I too live in the valley and makes three of us that frequent this forum that live here.
Regards
Bill

[M ANSARI]

I should have added that I am an Architect and Civil engineer ... and I do a lot of construction building office buildings, homes, residential complexes ... so I am lucky to have on tap dozens of very qualified engineers to trouble shoot my problem. I ofcourse have done a direct line with super high quality high gauge copper wire without a single connection in between the main telephone company DB and the modem ... I mean one direct line without a single connection (was actually quite difficult to do). I am convinced now that it is a problem with the main cable ... so I actually ordered 4 different phone lines and have put the DSL connection on the line that has what seems to be a clean tone. I will hook up with another IP provider and try this EDIMAX modem which takes 2 WLAN and combines them for added bandwidth and for redundancy. This seems hard to believe that I can't even get 1mb properly ... while in London I have a 22mb connection for a fraction of the cost that does not know what downtime is.

[shiv]

Biill, Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment complex, thus getting permission to do this would be harder. Glad to hear from another bay area resident, though I am not yet a full-fledged forum frequenter. Who is the other person?

Ansari, I will have you know that I am not able to get 1Mb either, I am on safe mode and get 968Kbps!

Having more options such as cable, satellite internet etc will make the providers more competitive in their offerings and probably more responsive in upgrading their services.

[Bill Rogers]

Shivi
The other persons name is Hristo. You can look him up in the Memberlist at the top of the page.
Bill