7 replies to this topic

[Classicvibe]

Several days ago I had a sudden lag spike that lasted almost an hour, in which I had ridiculously slow internet speeds (slower than having someone run torrents all day), where my internet browser would still connect to the internet but each page would take something along the lines of 3 minutes to load. (firefox tries to load, IE9 just displays can't connect) It eventually cleared up, but the next day I started getting the same lag spikes, only they lasted about 30 seconds each time, in around 10-20 minute intervals. happened for a day, then stopped for one day, then started occurring again today o.O The funny thing is that I normally play an online MMO that works based off of a p2p client in which players connect to each other rather than a central server, and I get completely no lag there at all. A separate chat client associated with the game crashes whenever this happens though, and the game won't start if i try to run it during the spikes. I'm running a typical windows 7 laptop on wireless, although apparently everyone else in our wifi network is experiencing the same problem. Not sure if it's someone else throttling the connection but I'm still wondering how the p2p stuff isn't affected thanks in advance for any replies

[Ztruker]

Hi Classicvibe, welcome to WhatTheTech. Please describe your network setup. You have a laptop. Do you connect to a wireless router or a wireless modem provided by your ISP? How many people share this network? You said "apparently everyone else in our wifi network is experiencing the same problem". That eliminates your computer or network device as the problem. It has to be at the router or outward to your ISP.

[Doug]

Hi Classicvibe.

What steps have you already taken to discover the source(s) of your lag difficulty?

Common events such as application software updates can have similar effect but would not be as prolonged nor as persistent.
You can attempt to identify what is hogging CPU and memory at the time of lag, using Windows Task Manager.
Or get a more complete look using Process Monitor
If a local application is hogging internet bandwidth, you will see elevated activity assoicated with one or more svchost.exe items.

But the most likey source is likely to be some sort of unwanted process of malware activity.
Consider running your onboard antivirus and antispyware utilities with a complete scan.

If the problem remains a mystery, you will be well advised to get a checkup from our Malware Removal specialists.
A good start would be: http://forums.whatth...howtopic=106388

[Classicvibe]

It's connected to a cisco LinksysE1000 router, there's usually maybe 4-5 laptops connected to it, along with around 2-3 ipod touches or phones. I don't think it has anything to do with an application on my computer, given that my cousin's laptop was experiencing the same thing yesterday when my computer was shut down. Maybe someone else's laptop? o.O thanks again for replying

[Ztruker]

If someone else is using Torrents that could cause lags like you are seeing.

When the problem occurs, can you check with the other people you are sharing the network with to see what they are doing?

You could run something like WireShark to sniff the network and see what is going on. It generates a lot of data and you will have to learn how to use it an interpret the output but it can tell you what is going on with your network.

[Doug]

LynksysE1000 came with an installation CD that includes a free version of Network Magic.
With the free version you can only see who is connected and not much else.
But that may be important, if for instance, some unknown device is periodically logging in.
You do have your Network secured with WPA2. Right?

Network traffic monitors typically cost money (around $30 US) and may not give you any useful information.

There is still a free version of Netlimiter with which you can see:
Network monitor
NetLimiter 3 shows list of all applications communicating over network it's connections and transfer rates.

Last available free version:
http://www.321downlo.../page2.html#ntm

[Ztruker]

Hi Doug, Happy New Year.

From what I read, NEtLimiter only shows data for the computer it's running on and not for the entire network.

Network Traffic Monitor shows you which processes in your machine are causing TCP/IP network traffic,

although it does also say:

Network Traffic Monitor can give you a historic overview of the network traffic since the application was started,

Guess I have to try it. Does it work with Windows 7?

Edit:Nope, doesn't work with Windows 7, rats. Wonder if it will work in XPMode under Windows 7?

Edited by Ztruker, 02 January 2012 - 01:27 PM.

[Classicvibe]

It's WPA2 -Personal, I'm pretty sure no one runs torrents or direct downloads. But I'm starting to think it might have something to do with my relatives' near- fanatical streaming of Korean dramas and shows, since the lag only occurs during certain times of the day, like right now 2 pm in the afternoon, but not 3 am in the morning >.> Only thing is that I'd expect it to be a steady, not-so-strong throttling rather than these "hit-and-run" lag spikes Although on another note, I'm pretty sure their behavior was consistent even before this started happening, so I'm not sure anymore..... @_@ Installed Wireshark, but yes, it's complete gibberish to me