At the end of my rope, pleading for help

**jessman** · 06-13-2007, 03:39 PM

here is the situation. I have Wireless internet, and I have some problems. Yes, mainly the problms have to do with the gaming aspect of things, but I though I would get a better and quicker response here, plus it pertains to general wireless info as well. The problem is that, gaming wise, I almost alwasy have a strict NAT. When, on my 360, I run the XBOX LIVE test, of course it shows that I have an open NAT and everything checks out. As soon as I pop a game in though, sometimes I have to log in and out of my account for 5 min to finally get to stay connected to a match.

Some games, like any game made by the company EA, I just simply cannot play online no matter what, and that goes for the PC too! And yes I do have the ports for XBOX live forwarded in my router.

PC wise, sometimes the connection will jsut randomly vanish, and it will be a ***** to jsut get the network back up. I'll have to unplug stuff and plug it back in, and disable stuff, then reenable to over and over until it finally finds the network again! Also on the wireless connection box on the task bar, it will have no wireless network found in the dialog box, yet my connection will be excellent. Attached is a pic showing what I mean by this. Also my freinds have the same internet provider and some even have wireless and they have non of the problems I am having.

I will give all info about the 2 comps and wireless setup, cause I am just about fed up with this and want to break down and cry.

Internet provider: MTCO (Metamora Telephone company) *Metamora the town I live in*

Connection: ADSL
ADSL Modem: Zyxel prestige 600 series
Wireless router: Linksys WRT 54G Version 6 with latest firmware, 192.168.2.1 is the admin IP (there was a problem when I was Installing it, and had to contact customer support, and they set me up the .2.1 instead of the .1.1)
Sisters computer: Dell comp with Win XP

My computer: Custom built, geforce 7950, Core 2 Duo 2.4ghz, 300GB HDD WIn Xp media center
USB Adapter: Linksys WUSB54G version 4

also the modem and sisters comp hook into the router and all of that is in her room, while my 360 with official MS wireless adapter, and comp with USB adapter is in my room, and the 2 room are right across the hallway from each other. the hallway is around 9 inches wide. So they are not far apart at all by any means.

I would be very appreciated is anyone can help me here. I am at the edn of my rope.

**jessman** · 06-14-2007, 03:31 PM

anyone?

Dr Morganes · 06-14-2007, 07:54 PM

9" wide? Here's hoping that was hyperbole ;)

Try this first:

Remove ALL wireless network settings from your wireless connection on all relevant machines. Turn off the wireless radio on the router.

Turn off EVERYTHING.

Connect your sister's PC directly to the modem.

Turn on the modem. Wait for it to completely connect.

Turn on your sister's PC.

Is the connection stable? If yes, power off all devices and add the router. Connect your sister's PC directly to the router.

Turn on the modem, then the router, then the PC. Is the connection stable?

If possible, connect ALL devices directly to the router. This will likely require a substantial amount of equipment moving. Add ONE device at a time and check to see if the connection remains stable.

At this point we're looking to see if perhaps there's either a faulty NIC in the mix or a fault with the router. If all checks OK:

Enable the wireless radio on the router. DO NOT enable encryption on the wireless signal at this time.

Add one wireless device at a time to the network. Is it stable? We're looking to see if any one device destabilizes the network. If so, time to focus on that device. It could be bad or misconfigured.

Post back.

Also, check the support area for the games in question. Some games have serious issues with their multiplayer components. Patches may or may not be available.

**jessman** · 06-14-2007, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the reaply. I will have to try your method out tommorw after work. Weird thing my sisters connection is always stable at 100MBPS

I only get 54MBPS, but I understand that is because it cannot transmit the whole network wirelessly or something like that.

Anyways yeah I will try above method. I guess if I had to pinpoint any one problem it would definatly be when I am gaming on the 360 or PC. As soon as I want to game online NAT get strict, and either get disconnected constantly, or selection of game rooms to join is limited to about 10 max.

Also if it is a problem with this NIC thing, is that easy to fix? And why would there be such a problem?

Dr Morganes · 06-14-2007, 09:49 PM

If your sister's PC is wired to the router, she WILL have a 100Mbps connection. Likewise, if your PC is connected via 54Mbps wireless G, your connection will max out at 54Mbps. If you want faster, you'll need to use hardware that supports compress wireless G (108Mbps) or go with Draft N. Either is an expensive option, and generally unnecessary for a network your size. Remember, your internet pipe tops out somewhere between 3 and 6Mbps (I'm guessing; you said it was cable); you have bandwidth to spare on your wireless link.

If you have a bad NIC, your options are limited to replacing it. USB units are a snap; simply unplug the old one and put in the new. PCI units are a bit more involved. You need to turn off your PC, take off the side of your case, unscrew the old unit, put in the new one, and reverse the steps. Not hard, by any means.

You may also want to see what happens when you put your X-box in your router's DMZ. This bypasses all firewall options for a single device. For your console, this could be the way to go. I don't recommend it for a PC for anything more than troubleshooting, however.

Also, be sure to check your PC for software firewalls like Norton, McAfee, etc. They'll cause havoc to be sure!

**jessman** · 06-15-2007, 09:07 AM

Thanks Dr. Morganes! Can you run me through the DMZ thing real quick? Like how to put the console into it? Is it just copying the ports I have forwarded?

Black Unicorn · 06-15-2007, 09:34 AM

DMZ stands for De-Militarised Zone
This means you can specify 1 IP Address on your network "xbox" that by pass's all firewall rules.

If you login to your router and find the section DMZ you can specify the IP address that you will setup on your xbox and save settings.

Thats all you need to do, no messing about with ports :)

Dr Morganes · 06-15-2007, 09:36 AM

Not even that.

The router will have a DMZ setting somewhere. Where exactly varies with manufacturer. Essentially you'll see something like:

DMZ Server: 192.168.1.x

x will have a box around it where you put the last bit of the IP address of the machine you want to bypass the firewall.

Choose the "Enable" option and save. The specified device will no longer be subject to firewalling.

In your case, make sure you enter the address of your X-box. This will eliminate any port blocking issues on the console. DO NOT as yet remove the port forwarding. This is still a troubleshooting step; using the DMZ is to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Definitely don't leave a PC in it for any longer than you have to. If things work, you'll need to investigate your port forwarding setup a bit more closely.

**jessman** · 06-15-2007, 11:46 AM

Thanks again for the replies guys!

How do I find the IP address of my 360? Also after I port forwarded Xbox LIVE, all my donwloads through the marketplace go 100x faster then they did before. It is when I want to play an online game that things get dicey and it's always a problem with the NAT.

I am definatly going to try the DMZ when I get off work in a few hour here. I assume people shouldn't put stuff in a DMZ becuase it leaves their comps open to hackers, but I don't think a 360 is in much danger (am I worng?)

Dr Morganes · 06-15-2007, 04:07 PM

Black Unicorn: Seems we were composing our replies at the same time. My "Not even that" sentence was in response to jessman's query about port forwarding.

Jessman: I've no idea how to find your X-box's IP address. I'm not much for console systems that cost as much as a PC... ;) You are correct, however, in your reasoning. Being in the DMZ means you're without firewall protection and relying on whatever security measures you have installed on your PC.

06-14-2007, 03:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
jessman TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 501 OS: Vista 32 bit	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help anyone?

06-14-2007, 07:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dr Morganes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help 9" wide? Here's hoping that was hyperbole ;) Try this first: Remove ALL wireless network settings from your wireless connection on all relevant machines. Turn off the wireless radio on the router. Turn off EVERYTHING. Connect your sister's PC directly to the modem. Turn on the modem. Wait for it to completely connect. Turn on your sister's PC. Is the connection stable? If yes, power off all devices and add the router. Connect your sister's PC directly to the router. Turn on the modem, then the router, then the PC. Is the connection stable? If possible, connect ALL devices directly to the router. This will likely require a substantial amount of equipment moving. Add ONE device at a time and check to see if the connection remains stable. At this point we're looking to see if perhaps there's either a faulty NIC in the mix or a fault with the router. If all checks OK: Enable the wireless radio on the router. DO NOT enable encryption on the wireless signal at this time. Add one wireless device at a time to the network. Is it stable? We're looking to see if any one device destabilizes the network. If so, time to focus on that device. It could be bad or misconfigured. Post back. Also, check the support area for the games in question. Some games have serious issues with their multiplayer components. Patches may or may not be available.

06-14-2007, 08:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
jessman TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 501 OS: Vista 32 bit	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help Thanks for the reaply. I will have to try your method out tommorw after work. Weird thing my sisters connection is always stable at 100MBPS I only get 54MBPS, but I understand that is because it cannot transmit the whole network wirelessly or something like that. Anyways yeah I will try above method. I guess if I had to pinpoint any one problem it would definatly be when I am gaming on the 360 or PC. As soon as I want to game online NAT get strict, and either get disconnected constantly, or selection of game rooms to join is limited to about 10 max. Also if it is a problem with this NIC thing, is that easy to fix? And why would there be such a problem?

06-14-2007, 09:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dr Morganes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help If your sister's PC is wired to the router, she WILL have a 100Mbps connection. Likewise, if your PC is connected via 54Mbps wireless G, your connection will max out at 54Mbps. If you want faster, you'll need to use hardware that supports compress wireless G (108Mbps) or go with Draft N. Either is an expensive option, and generally unnecessary for a network your size. Remember, your internet pipe tops out somewhere between 3 and 6Mbps (I'm guessing; you said it was cable); you have bandwidth to spare on your wireless link. If you have a bad NIC, your options are limited to replacing it. USB units are a snap; simply unplug the old one and put in the new. PCI units are a bit more involved. You need to turn off your PC, take off the side of your case, unscrew the old unit, put in the new one, and reverse the steps. Not hard, by any means. You may also want to see what happens when you put your X-box in your router's DMZ. This bypasses all firewall options for a single device. For your console, this could be the way to go. I don't recommend it for a PC for anything more than troubleshooting, however. Also, be sure to check your PC for software firewalls like Norton, McAfee, etc. They'll cause havoc to be sure!

06-15-2007, 09:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
jessman TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 501 OS: Vista 32 bit	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help Thanks Dr. Morganes! Can you run me through the DMZ thing real quick? Like how to put the console into it? Is it just copying the ports I have forwarded?

06-15-2007, 09:34 AM	#7 (permalink)
Black Unicorn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fareham UK Posts: 22 OS: Vista Ultimate x86	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help DMZ stands for De-Militarised Zone This means you can specify 1 IP Address on your network "xbox" that by pass's all firewall rules. If you login to your router and find the section DMZ you can specify the IP address that you will setup on your xbox and save settings. Thats all you need to do, no messing about with ports :) __________________ Black Unicorn Solutions Computer Support \| InHouse Software \| Disaster Recovery \| Voice Systems \|

06-15-2007, 09:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
Dr Morganes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help Not even that. The router will have a DMZ setting somewhere. Where exactly varies with manufacturer. Essentially you'll see something like: DMZ Server: 192.168.1.x x will have a box around it where you put the last bit of the IP address of the machine you want to bypass the firewall. Choose the "Enable" option and save. The specified device will no longer be subject to firewalling. In your case, make sure you enter the address of your X-box. This will eliminate any port blocking issues on the console. DO NOT as yet remove the port forwarding. This is still a troubleshooting step; using the DMZ is to be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Definitely don't leave a PC in it for any longer than you have to. If things work, you'll need to investigate your port forwarding setup a bit more closely.

06-15-2007, 11:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
jessman TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 501 OS: Vista 32 bit	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help Thanks again for the replies guys! How do I find the IP address of my 360? Also after I port forwarded Xbox LIVE, all my donwloads through the marketplace go 100x faster then they did before. It is when I want to play an online game that things get dicey and it's always a problem with the NAT. I am definatly going to try the DMZ when I get off work in a few hour here. I assume people shouldn't put stuff in a DMZ becuase it leaves their comps open to hackers, but I don't think a 360 is in much danger (am I worng?)

06-15-2007, 04:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dr Morganes Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 41 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: At the end of my rope, pleading for help Black Unicorn: Seems we were composing our replies at the same time. My "Not even that" sentence was in response to jessman's query about port forwarding. Jessman: I've no idea how to find your X-box's IP address. I'm not much for console systems that cost as much as a PC... ;) You are correct, however, in your reasoning. Being in the DMZ means you're without firewall protection and relying on whatever security measures you have installed on your PC.