PC problem

[Theco]

OK, I've got a problem with my comp. for about a month that I haven't been able to get rid of. Every couple of minutes, the system seems to 'skip'...the audio and video both stutter for a split second. It's not too horrible, but it gets to be annoying. This started once I installed my wireless network card. Anybody have any ideas on what can cause this?

Windows XP
AMD Sempron 1.8 GhZ processor
2.0G PC 3200 memory (just upgraded from 512)
ATI Radeon 9950
Linksys Dual Band Wireless A+G network card

Thanks,
Corey

PS - Just checked the CPU usage chart, and it seems to be spiking every time there's a stutter.

[Copydude]

is this only when you are on line??? You could be receiving inference from your telephone (wireless) system... depends on the frequency they are on... Try hardwiring your ethernet and see if it continues. That seems the most likely scenario.
Let me know.
Karl

[Theco]

Ok, that worked...unfortunately, I live in the basement and the only way I can keep my computer hardwired is to drill through the floor upstairs. I'd rather not do this, as it isn't my house. Is there any way to stop this problem and keep the wireless? Thanks

Corey

[Copydude]

chaeck the frequencies of your phone system..and that of your wireless network (your service provider or the box your wireless network should hav ethe frequency) you may have to buy a new phone system so that they do not interfere with each other.
or since it is cat5 cable, try running it outside and them coming back in, perhaps next to a phone line or a cable inlet.
good luck. Karl

[recce19]

Ok, that worked...unfortunately, I live in the basement and the only way I can keep my computer hardwired is to drill through the floor upstairs. I'd rather not do this, as it isn't my house. Is there any way to stop this problem and keep the wireless? Thanks

Corey

Can you not follow an existing route of wiring/pipes? That's what I did.

[Theco]

Recce - Well, I haven't been able to find anything accessible running from upstairs to down to piggyback a ethernet cable to, so that's out. Thanks for the help though.

Karl - When you say my phone may be interfering with the wireless internet signal, are you talking about my cell phone? Because we don't have a landline here.

[Copydude]

No, I was refering to land line portables..... since that is out then perhaps you aer not recieving a clear signal... Where is the wireless modem at? upstairs? check your signal strengh and make sure that is okay or if you live in an area where houses are a bit tight your neighbors portable phones could possibly be causing the inference.
Karl

[Theco]

The signal strength is usually "Very Good" or "Excellent", and the system still stutters, but I'll try repositioning the router and see if I can find a better spot for it and see if that helps. thanks for all the help.

[Yourself]

Corey, have you tried changing the channel your wireless is using? Doesn't it default to 6?

What speed wireless are you running.....G?

Have you tried switching back to B and see if you still have a problem?

I don't think switching back to B will have an impact on your gaming.

B is still (generally) faster than your broadband connection...the downside of switching back to B is your network (not Internet) transfer speed is lower.

IIRC, G is 54 Mbs, B is 11Mbs.

Also, what wireless software are you using? If you're using the Linksys software, try turning that off and letting windows handle the wireless. There should be an option for that somewhere in the software. The software generally shows up in the system tray showing your signal strength.

Give that a try and post back.

Yourself (Dave)

[Theco]

Thanks for the help Dave, Karl, and Recce. It was the router, but all I had to do was reset it, and now it works perfectly. Not sure what the problem was, but I don't really care as long as it's gone!

[Yourself]

I'm glad it's working!

You didn't really expect that we would know what we were talking about anyways, huh?

LOL though.......back to the same old FIRST LINE of PC problem solution:

REBOOT!

In this case, it worked on the router!

Go Tigers! (doesn't look good right now, though).

Yourself (Dave)

[Theco]

Yah...the Tigers are making me a sad Theco lately.... :(

[recce19]

Glad you sorted it :)

Not that having you on full strength will help me any :p