[SOLVED] Multiplayer game lag problem

[Cheese Egg]

I have had a problem with my internet (when gaming at least) ever since I got this computer (I've had it for a little over half a year). I will first list my computer specs, and then I will get into my problem with great detail, followed by what I have tried to do to fix it, and failed each time. This is a very complicated case, that no one seems to be able to help me with. If any of you could possibly help me with this problem, I would forever be in your debt!

Computer Specs:

System:
Manufacturer: Dell
Model: Dimension E521

Processor Information:
Vendor: AuthenticAMD
Speed: 2205 Mhz
2 logical processors
2 physical processors
HyperThreading: Unsupported
RDTSC: Supported
CMOV: Supported
FCMOV: Supported
SSE: Supported
SSE2: Supported
3DNOW: Supported

Network Information:
Network Speed: DSL/Cable > 2M

Windows Version:
Windows Vista (32 bit)
NTFS: Supported

Video Card:
Driver: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
DirectX Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll
Driver Version: 7.15.10.9746
DirectX Driver Version: 7.15.10.9746
Driver Date: 8 Dec 2006
Desktop Color Depth: 32 bits per pixel
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
VendorID: 0x10de
DeviceID: 0x1d1
Number of Monitors: 1
Number of Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
Primary Display Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Desktop Resolution: 1280 x 1024
Primary VRAM: 128 MB

Sound card:
Audio device: Speakers / Headphones (SigmaTel)

Memory:
RAM: 2045 Mb

Miscellaneous:
Total Hard Disk Space Available: 238361 Mb
Largest Free Hard Disk Block: 110040 Mb

My problem:

When I'm playing an online "multiplayer" game, such as Counter Strike: Source, Gary's Mod 10, simple flash games such as Stick Arena (on xgenstudios.com), or even a program like Ventrilo (a program that lets you talk to your friends using mics), I get a random, but not constant, "lag" so to speak. While playing the game, I will randomly freeze (the time of freezing varies, but averages about 4 seconds), and am constantly getting killed while I can't move. Or if I'm having a conversation on ventrilo with one of my friends, their voice will randomly cut out during a sentence, and then it takes about 2 or 3 seconds for their sentence to continue, even though they're already talking about something else. It's so bad, that I can't seem to play simple games that I payed for! Recently, it seems to have gotten worse for no apparent reason at all, and it will sometimes cut me out of ventrilo completely, or I will freeze much longer while in a game (no matter what my ping/latency is, which is usually pretty low). I can play single player games just fine, and even online ones (so long as it's not multiplayer). I can download files really fast with no problem as well. One of the first things I did when I got this computer, was play an online game. I had the problem then too, so it couldn't be my antivirus, but here is a link to the antivirus I have just incase. http://www.pctools.com/anti-virus/ I am using a wireless connection, BUT, I also have a wireless connection on one of my other computers (windows xp), and I can play the very same games just fine. I use a Linksys Wireless-G PCI adapter (Model No. WMP54G). I might also add, that I have a very strong signal, so that's not the problem. My friend also has Vista, and he was able to play the same games without lag. I just can't figure it out!

Things I have tried to fix/diagnose the problem:

I have tried using the adapter I have on my other computer (that I don't have a lag problem on), but it didn't help at all.

I tried turning off both my firewall, and windows defender, but it made no difference.

Of course, I have tried resetting both the modem and the router, but that didn't fix it either.

If none of the suggestions you guys give me help, I'll try using a direct connection to my router, rather than using the wireless adapter (just incase it's just my computer that doesn't play games very well through a wireless connection). Other than that, I'm clueless. Please, somebody help me! I can't take it any longer! Please let me know if you need further information that I have failed to provide.

[pharoah]

do you have the amd dual core optimizer installed?

[Cheese Egg]

Originally Posted by pharoah

do you have the amd dual core optimizer installed?

No, but I'll try that now, and I'll tell you if it works. In the mean time, any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[pharoah]

go ahead and install that lets see what that does.before we go any farther.

[Cheese Egg]

Originally Posted by pharoah

go ahead and install that lets see what that does.before we go any farther.

I tried to download the optimizer, but I got the following error: "Error 1721. There is a problem with this Windows Installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor. Action: InstTool, location: C:\Windows\...\MSICCAD.tmp, command:" What should I do then?

[Cheese Egg]

Nevermind, I fixed it by using a direct ethernet connection. Apparently, my computer doesn't run games very well on a wireless connection.

[Laurie52]

With any wireless or satellite connection you have to be aware of "upload" packet size as well as "Download". Your Upload will be smaller because of distance to it's source and back to you.

With Satellite, it's a shared system as well. But what kills a lot of online gaming is the distance the upload has to travel from you back up to the satellite and back to "where ever". Depending on your wireless provider, you might have a similar problem.

Dialup, DSL, Cable all are geared for large packets in both directions. Wireless and Satellite are not.

My son's computer is also a Dell 251 and he is able to play WoW using the satellite. But some areas run better under his dialup (outside of town) The satellite cause too much of a freeze/lag while fighting outside. But where in our very rural area, satellite is our only option if you do not want dialup.

You can go to dslreports.com fourms and scroll down to your wireless provider to find others with a similar problem.