TF2 - Being Disconnected from servers

[jrockpunk1]

So, I have a wireless G router downstairs, and on the computer I play TF2 on, I have a wireless G adapter, so basically I have a wireless connection, connected to a 10MB modem.

Now, for some reason, I don't get the usual short lag spike every couple of minutes I was expecting. I'll get no lag for quite a while, and then all of a sudden - *BAM*! - it freezes for about 30 seconds then goes back to normal. However, there is no "Connection failed, 20 seconds until you are disconnected" message, so I don't get kicked off the game. That's weird for a start, but my lag has always been different to everyone elses. However, lately, it's been freezing, and that message has been coming up. So I'll be half way through a game, it will freeze, that message will come up and 30 seconds later I'll be kicked out of the game - really annoying. The thing that's bothering me, is when I alt+tab out of the game when this happens, I click the networks diagnostic tool. It says there are no problems with my connection, and when I open firefox I can browse like normal. But when I go back into the game, a few seconds later it kicks me.

So basically, it's kicking me for connection problems (30 seconds of lag), when in fact my connection's fine. If it wasn't that my connection was fine I would put this in the networking forum, but maybe it's a bug for the game.

Also, when I lag, I'll freeze, but be able to look around, others will still be moving. But 10 seconds later, gradually, everyone will come to a halt. Sometimes I can hear people on the mic just like normal, other times it's as if time and space has stopped.

So, can anyone help please? Also, if this needs to be moved to the networking forum, feel free to do so. Thanks in advance.

[jrockpunk1]

Aslo, this is what I used to get:
YouTube - Team fortress 2 freezing or crashing in game

And now it's the same as that but it disconnects me after 30 seconds. I used to just wait a minute and let it pass.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

What are your system specs?
Please post the CPU, GPU, RAM, OS and PSU. Also post DXdiag results.

Delete any unnecessary processes running in the backround like P2P programs and media or music programs.

Then update all your drivers.

After that, scan and remove any malware.

10 MB Wireless connection is very slow, you should upgrade to a 56.6 MB Connection (Using 802.11B or G)

[5NIPER_WOLF]

I am wondering if it's server lag.

[jrockpunk1]

eh? 10MB is pretty good. The max you can get round here is 16. I think you're thinking of another measurement, like k/b. I'm way above 56.6. And I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the game. My specs are under my name, I've updated my drivers, got DX9/10, removed malware with AVG and nod32 and I always close off any unneeded processes before I game.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

Whoa whoa, you don't need TWO anti-virus programs, remove nod32 ad AVG is better, if you are looking for great anti-spybot protection that nod32 may be offering then you can get Spybot Search & Destroy for extra security.

Yeah my bad I meant 56.6 KB/s
I really think it's server lag, does this happen with all servers?
Why under your name do you say you have winXP but in the My System tab you say Vista? which one is it? and do you have DX 9 or 10? you should get 10.

SB S&Dwww.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

[jrockpunk1]

I've got vista 32 bit, I keep forgetting to change that. And yes it happens on all server given a certain amount of time. I have DX10, but TF2 can only use DX9 anyway.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

Did you do my suggestion to uninstall nod32 and get Spybot S&D?

I really don't know why this is happening, and for some reason none of the actual games team has noticed this thread to help me help you!

So I have tried helping you to the best of my abilities, sorry I could not be of much help, you should try the network forum too.

[Tiber Septim]

Hi.
Check in your Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Manage Wireless Networks.
See if Vista is picking up any other unsecured networks. If it is, it may be automatically connecting to them at random.
To make sure it stops connecting to others, right click on them and select 'Properties'. Then make sure the box labelled 'Connect automatically when this
network is in range' is unchecked.

I'm not too knowledgeable about networks though, I'll see if I can get someone else to take a look at this.

[5NIPER_WOLF]

I was thinking that but I did not know your policy for contacting other members for help, since it took a long time for someone else to find this thread.

[Jason09]

Maybe try opening ports? What is the make and model of your modem and router?

[5NIPER_WOLF]

nah opening ports wont do it.

Unless you can see if a port the game is using is being shared by a different program.

[jrockpunk1]

Well, now it takes AAAGES to load a server, and when I do it's all laggy (graphics wise, not connection wise).

[Tiber Septim]

I take it turning off the unsecured networks didn't fix it.
I had a similar problem with L4D, where the game would seem to randomly stutter.
Turning off multicore rendering with the launch option mat_queue_mode 0 fixed it for me.
It may be worth a try, though I'm not sure if it is enabled or disabled by default in TF2.

5NIPER, feel free to ask for help if you're unsure, or if a thread has gone unanswered for a long time. Give it some time though, there are only five active people on the team and we all have lives/jobs.

[Aus_Karlos]

From Steam Support [FAQ] section:

-AVG 7.5, Norton/Symantec and Nod 32 software has been known to cause game crashes.
AVG 7.5 must be fully removed from your system in order to prevent these crashes.

Software to Look Out For

The following applications have been known to cause issues with Steam and playing games:

Anti-Virus Applications

* Avast!
* AVG Anti-virus *
* Kaspersky Anti-virus
* McAfee Anti-virus
* Nod32 Anti-virus *
* Norton/Symantec Anti-virus
* VIGuard Anti-virus

Anti-Spyware Applications

* Ad Aware
* CA Pest Patrol
* Spycatcher Express
* Webroot Spy Sweeper *

Firewall/Security Applications

* Comodo
* CYBERsitter
* ESET Smart Security
* Netlimiter
* McAfee Personal Firewall
* Nvidia Network Access Manager/Firewall *
* Nvidia ForceWare Intelligent Application Manager
* Peer Guardian
* Tiny Personal Firewall
* Verizon Internet Security Suite
* Zone Alarm

Other Applications

* Alcohol 120%
* ATI Hotkey Poller
* BitTorrent/UTorrent (all clients)
* Daemon Tools
* Download Accelerators (all clients)
* GhostSurf 2007
* Google Toolbar, Google Updater
* K-Lite Codec Pack
* LimeWire, BearShare or other Peer 2 Peer applications
* nProtect GameGuard *
* Skype
* Slysoft AnyDVD
* TeamSpeak (can lead to mic issues)
* Total Recorder
* Tuneup WinStyler Theme Service
* UPEK Protector Suite
* Ventrilo (can lead to mic issues)
* VirtuaGirl 2
* WindowBlinds
* Xfire

* We recommend that applications listed with a ( * ) symbol are fully uninstalled from your system if disabling them does not resolve the issue.

AVG and nod32 dont play well with Steam and its games i suggest getting a game friendly A/V that which also has greater protection.
Im currently using Avast, Its free and uses minimal resources (about 10mb RAM).

Note* While that is only states crashing it AVG also block ports that get flooded with too much information (Usually streaming contents like gaming) it then blocks those ports in fear its been attacked.

[jrockpunk1]

Thanks, I'll uninstall AVG. However, I do end the process and close it whenever I game anyway, along with other unneeded things. Also, multicore rendering is off by default, and it was happening when it was off. I have it turned on now though, as it increases my FPS a LOT. It does crash after a few hours of gameplay though, but it's an obvious graphical crash, and all I do is restart it, whereas the current one is a network problem. I havent played TF2 lately long enough for it to happen, but when I do I'll let you know how it goes on. Also, there were no other unsecured networks, but there was an option "connect to a more preferred network if available" that I've unchecked. Hopefully uninstalling AVG and verifying the integrity of cache files will have fixed it though :)

Thanks for all your help.

[Mcninjaguy]

I don't know if you know that NOD32 has version 4 out now maybe that'll help you out if you're still using NOD32

[jrockpunk1]

OK well now I have another even worse problem unrelated to my network. When I click launch, it takes more than 5 minutes to launch the game, and when I try to join a server, it stays on the "retrieving server info" part for just as long. It isn't my configs, as when I removed them it was still the same, and I've verified the integrity of the game cache. It's taken me an hour and a half trying to get it working this morning, searching the internet, doing everything I can. It's pissing me off because it's took up all of my morning before school, and it still isn't working.

[jrockpunk1]

Well, I've decided to delete the local game content and reinstall. Tell me, will it have remembered my rank and achievements? I would really hate having to get all the weapons again.

[Aus_Karlos]

All ranks and weapon layouts are stored on remote servers.
The problem you have described is still related to a connection problem or your AV blocking ports.
The long launching of the game is one indication that either your connection is very busy (Ie other application are stealing bandwidth) same goes for the server listings.

Have you tried any of the suggestions by removing Nod32 and AVG. Steam really doesn't like these two programs. Please try Avast it is free after all.