For Wrongway. Believe Skuzzy has some sticky of system preformace, and things not to run in the background. Mostly any update software. I include McAfee with this list.
Have no idea what processes that are running on a system, since im not in front of it, but heres a list of things.
Anything using some sort of sharing program, not gonna get speicific, but there are such things. Mostly pirating vids, or music.
Firewall, and any web blocker, this mostly cause sound stutter or none at all. No idea of Ping.
Any ipod software. Itunes comes to mind.
Basically anything running in the background, that has to deal with connection. I for one have 19 processes running on my system, not including AH. I try to keep mine streamlined, and reload from a known good backup, if I suspect Ive might have somethign borrowing cpu cycles that shouldnt be. Just get wierd like that. Then again, I have a backup of this system that contains a fresh install ( with all specific drivers for hardware and SP III ), then I have a seperate DVD of AH fully configured with most skins. Might have D/L a skin or two but no biggie. in about 20 Mins, I can be back in the air. Would recommend anyone to do that for a gaming rig.
Then theres the old poor connection.