Vista 64-bit with Linksys Router Firmware Update Problem

[ecole9]

Hello all,

I play World of Warcraft, and I have built a new computer in the last 3 months with Vista 64bit. I use a Linksys WRT54G Version 8 router with a Linksys Wireless USB Adapter. While playing WOW, I am encountering some screen freezes accompanied by some higher than normal latency. (Normal = 200ms and below; I'm getting latency = 500ms-900ms) The funny thing is sometimes my latency is in the normal range and I still get this screen freeze. I am currently getting 60fps nearly all the time. Also of note, when I first start playing my latency shows up 0ms. Then after about a minute it goes to the 500-900ms range. Lastly, I look on my desktop and my computer shows I have full bars of wireless connection. So this leads me to believe it is not wireless router that is the problem

My question is kind of general. Does anyone have a clue as to what my problem is? I have installed new drivers to everything but my router. I was going to try and download the latest firmware from the Linksys site but when I try to open the link it tells me I do not have any programs to run the install. I am not even sure if I have an old version or the current version of firmware anyways. Everything else (USB, video card, wireless adapter, etc) are up to date as of today. I have no programs running in the background. I have already used "msconfig" and went through the startup programs and services. Does anyone know what my problem could be and/or how to download the latest firmware without my computer giving me errors?

Thanks and sorry for the long post!

[jlreich]

Just clicking on the file in windows won't work. To install the firmware there is a page in the routers setup interface to upload it and install it. This should only be done on a wired system. Consult your routers manual on how to do this.

The fact that you are playing games over a wireless connection is likely your problem in the first place. Yes, wireless is technically fast enough to run multi-player games over the net, but in real life it often isn't.

Is the router or your system near anything that might cause interference? Such as a cordless phone, microwave, another wireless router nearby possibly next door, etc?

Can you plug in wired and see if the problem persist?

Another possible issue is the system is using CPU throttling and periodically slowing the CPU down when it feels it is not needed to run full speed. Set you power settings in vista to high performance.

[ecole9]

Thanks for the informative post!

I actually have been playing wirelessly because I have to keep my cable box in the living room and my computer is in the spare room next door. Its kind of a long story but we have cable phone and internet and the phone line is hooked to our ADT and cannot be moved. So to answer one of your questions, yes our router is pretty much right on top of our coordless phone. and the wireless has to go through a wall to get to the computer in the spare room. Although I would think this is okay since my computer shows full bars of reception most of the time...never lower than 3 but usually 4-5. I could wire the connection but I wanted to avoid that b/c the only way I know how is to stretch a huge cable through my house and I'm not very good at hiding cables and whatnot.

Any suggestions? Also, after reading your post I changed my power setting to High Performance. Do you think I should update the firmware? I don't know how I would wire it to do that but I could try.

Thanks!

[ecole9]

Just as an update....I moved my computer into my living room to use a wired connection. My latency dropped about 50ms on average but is still high at times. I don't know what the issue could be but I'm thinking that it has to be a router issue or comcast. One other thing I've noticed is that sometimes my latency is perfectly fine but I still get those long (5-6 sec) freezes on screen....the difference is usually they happen less frequently.

Anyways any info would help! thanks!

[jlreich]

My next thought would be heat. How are the temps for your system? CPU, system, video card?

If any one of those are overheating it can certainly cause lag. Particularly the video card.

You can upgrade the firmware on your router if you want. Just remember it has to be done from a wired connection, and do not interrupt or turn off the router during the upgrade or you could turn the router into a paperweight.

[mjc]

It is also advisable to plug the router into a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)...

[ecole9]

okay i updated the firmware via wired connection....it seems to have helped tremendously. I am getting below 200ms lag all the time. BUT that is only one night of playing....i'll keep posting updates.

About the temp...first off, what is a good temp? Secondly, how do I check this?

thanks!

[jlreich]

HWMonitor (http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php) is what I use most these days. Make sure you get the 64bit version.

Good temps are 30-40C idle, 40-50C loaded for the CPU. 45-55C idle, 60-70C loaded for the GPU.

What are your system specs by the way?

Glad to hear the firmware update seems to have helped. :)

[ecole9]

My system specs are:

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASRock Penryn1600SLI-110dB LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 650i SLI ATX Intel Mobo

GIGABYTE GV-NX88T512HPV1 GeForce 8800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

Rosewill RP550V2-D-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Power Supply

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

(TOTAL OF 4 GB) Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

1 x Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor

NOW - as for temps this is what I got using the program you listed above:

IDLE Q6600 38-43 degrees Celsius
IDLE 8800GT 43-48 degrees Celsius

With WOW in background I got:
Q6600 45-50 degrees Celsius
8800GT 45-51 degrees Celsius

Is this good results or too high?

Thanks!