Host Timed Out - no connection at all

[pictolrac]

Hello all - I live in the UK and it seems that tech support sleep through my day. The problem is that I tried the two weeks free AH and then coughed up for the fee - since then I could only access the game early UK time  -morning - and after about 4pm UK time got Host Timed Out.
Now all I get is host timed out ALL the time.

This is very frustrating - all other connections are very fast so what is the possible problem? Any ideas or suggestions gratefully received.

Regards

[Skuzzy]

If you are the one who sent me the PingPlotter data, I responded.  Your first 4 hops in your ISP's network is losing enormous amounts of packets.

For TCP type connections, you will only notice small stutters in the data flow as those packets are retried, but for a real time game connection there is just too much data packet loss in your ISP's network.

You need to contact them and send them the data you sent in to us (again, if you are the one am thinking of) and have them explain why they are having packet loss issues.

And if they tell you there is nothing wrong, then you need to find another ISP as anyone with any basic network knowledge will be able to see the problem in that data you have.

[Bruv119]

Which isp are you using  picto?

I work in a datacentre for one.   Don't usually bother checking helpdesk tickets but if in the very slim chance its the same one I would look into it for you.

[Blagard]

pictolrac

You will find there are loads of people from the UK flying in AH with no trouble at all. Hopefully your ISP will be able to help out. I know if my connection goes bad at the UK end I would probably have to change ISP as ntl (my ISP) are not known for fixing things very well!

[pictolrac]

Hello to all who have replied epecially to you Skuzzy - yes I am the pain in the butt that sent you the ping report and sory for the hassle - bear with me though and would it be possible to explain why I can get uniterrupted play up to 4pm UK time and then it goes sour? surely if my ISP which is Tiscali was losing packets left right and centre this cut off would not happen at all as I would not be able to get in the game at any time?

Thanks for your patience,
Regards,
David

[pictolrac]

by the way - I downloaded Dr TCP which allows me direct access to the registry to edit certain settings - any reccomendations that might reliieve this pain?
Again thanks to you interested people.
Regards,

David

[Bruv119]

Hmmm Tiscali...

1) what speed connection do you have?  8mb adsl MAX will be bad for gaming.

2) i think tiscali may have LLU circuits meaning that any packet problems would be on their network.  

3) router or usb modem?

4) My connection has discoed me about 2 times in 18 months worth of play on a 2mb usb modem.  So rest assured that the problem doesnt lie with Aces High.

[pictolrac]

Hi Bruv - I get about a meg connection so that should not be a problem. It is a wireless router from Netgear that I am using. Do I start badgering Tiscali?
Cheers,
David

[Bruv119]

Have you tried using wires only.  I appreciate that you have said that everything else works fine but just to make sure.

On a Netgear you should be able to view the logs to see  whether you are getting disconnected/reconnected.   Make sure that your connection isnt doing this.  

The really big grey area for me would be why it would only do it at a certain point in the day.  Contention may be an issue but you should still be able to play.  Check your wireless security settings to make sure no-one else is trying to use your connection.

Tiscali should be able to check your logs to see if your dropping the connection.  As Skuzzy said if you have tried all of this send a copy of your pingplotter to them.

[Skuzzy]

Packet loss can happen for many reasons.  The most prominent being where the ISP has exceeded his bandwidth and/or the routers are swamped.

Bruv, he is losing packets in the first 4 hops.  Any wireless errors (which are going to happen, by the way) should only show up at his first hop.  And he is getting packet loss at the first hop.

Oh Bruv, get rid of the USB modem, if you can, and put in a good Ethernet modem and my guess is you will no longer lose your connection.

[Bruv119]

hey my trusty usb modem  nearly two years of no discos!!
i cant remember the last time I was disconnected from the game which has to be a good thing right?

Dont fix what aint broken!

[pictolrac]

thanks gents and it looks like the ball is in the Tiscali court - I will get in touch with them and keep you informed - many thanks for the help.

Cheers,
David

[Bruv119]

Picto at the top of this forum there is a sticky from Skuzzy.  

A worthwhile read.

[pictolrac]

hi bruv - excuse the ignorance - what is a sticky and where do I find it?
Cheers,
David

[Bruv119]

You know the main forum page you've clicked on tech support thread right at the top there are two sticky posts at the top  (posts that cant be edited or replied too)

The second one is very good labelled hints/tips.

posted by skuzzy.