Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Casper1 on October 17, 2006, 06:39:03 PM

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 17, 2006, 06:39:03 PM

Notice - This thread is not intended to be a bashing, ridiculing, or upsetting thread. If it does any of the above, accept my apologies. I have some constructive criticism to offer as a Software Engineer/System Architect, so the points made may seem harsh. Please understand that my point is simply to make suggestions and to support the suggestions with fact/standards/etc.

Currently, when a user attempts to connect to a full arena and cannot, a Dialog box pops up stating "Host Connection Lost". When the user clicks "OK", the whole game exits.

:furious :O :furious

This is probably the silliest behavior I have seen from a popular game title, not to mention poor software design. (maybe this is due to some desired effect from previous versions...I dont know)

1. The error is not 'Host Connection Lost'. This is a bad Error Message and shoudl be fixed so it is more useful and meaningful.
2. The attmept to join a full server should not necessitate a complete program shutdown. In fact, software should never just close/exit unless the user has told it to do so, or there is some failure in the execution which caused the OS to kill its process(es).

I highly suggest this be fixed in a future release (sooner rather than later b/c of the arena caps that are maxed out every night). It is extremely annoying when a user wants to grab the 390th position in a 390 player-capped arena, is denied, and has to restart the whole app. (It's worse when this happens 6 or 7 times a night)

In my personal opinion, the changes with the arenas were implemened before a lot of thought was put into the effect on aspects of the software that may not have mattered in the past. While this is understandable in some cases, I cannot say that this is one of those.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Overlag on October 17, 2006, 07:15:35 PM

100% agree, but then it does only take 10seconds to reload AHII (for the lucky ones)

i dont think this is top priority for HT, i think they too busy messing with new arena's and stuff...... :huh

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: The Fugitive on October 17, 2006, 07:47:51 PM

I read someplace on these boards, posted by an HTC employee, that the reason it was set up that way was so that the computer would disconnect COMPLETELY from the host so when you went to a new arena, it wouldn't have problems that might be caused by it NOT being totally disconnected from the "full" arena.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Overlag on October 17, 2006, 10:20:06 PM

Quote

Originally posted by The Fugitive
I read someplace on these boards, posted by an HTC employee, that the reason it was set up that way was so that the computer would disconnect COMPLETELY from the host so when you went to a new arena, it wouldn't have problems that might be caused by it NOT being totally disconnected from the "full" arena.

ohh yeah, i seem to remember something like that too. it was to with the caching/loading of the map. I had it a few times when you would load a offline map, then try to go straight to MA, only to have AH crash because it tried to load you into MA, with the offline map you set up still in the memory?

HT comments?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Schatzi on October 18, 2006, 03:52:09 AM

Quote

Originally posted by The Fugitive
I read someplace on these boards, posted by an HTC employee, that the reason it was set up that way was so that the computer would disconnect COMPLETELY from the host so when you went to a new arena, it wouldn't have problems that might be caused by it NOT being totally disconnected from the "full" arena.

It was Skuzzy.

And yes, the complete disconnect "CTD" is to tie up loose ends that might be causing all sorts of artifacts and weirdness otherwise.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 18, 2006, 12:03:40 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Schatzi
It was Skuzzy.

And yes, the complete disconnect "CTD" is to tie up loose ends that might be causing all sorts of artifacts and weirdness otherwise.

Well, there's a reason then.
But, its a really REALLY bad reason.

Something needs to change in the architectrure of the software so that you dont have to CTD every time you attempt to connect to an almost full arena that is actually full by the timr your join request packets hit the game server.

I suggest this become higher priority or the caps be upped substantially so this isnt an issue any longer. Why continually build on a faulty foundation? Its gonna come crashing down before long...

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 19, 2006, 04:16:17 PM

Pyro, HT?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: hitech on October 19, 2006, 04:21:27 PM

You are incorect in your assesment.

It realy is a host connection lost.

The system does not prevent you from trying to attach to a full arena.

Once you attach, the system does a current count. And then since it is full you get disconected.

The resone it is done this way , is because the counts are not 100% real time up to date. For instance you could be in the arena list screen for a long time, and the real state of the arenas are different from your current display.

The resone why you are shown the message vs returned to the arena list, was by user request. Because most real disconects are caused isp connection loss, and then you could not get the arena list anyway, and you would be on a hang / waiting for time out condition.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: navajoboy on October 19, 2006, 04:26:12 PM

you definitely are a code jockey..... :aok :aok

Quote

Originally posted by hitech
You are incorect in your assesment.

It realy is a host connection lost.

The system does not prevent you from trying to attach to a full arena.

Once you attach, the system does a current count. And then since it is full you get disconected.

The resone it is done this way , is because the counts are not 100% real time up to date. For instance you could be in the arena list screen for a long time, and the real state of the arenas are different from your current display.

The resone why you are shown the message vs returned to the arena list, was by user request. Because most real disconects are caused isp connection loss, and then you could not get the arena list anyway, and you would be on a hang / waiting for time out condition.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Rocket on October 19, 2006, 04:52:47 PM

Hmmm I don't get CTD when the arena is full. It just dumps me back to the pick an arena spot or pick a game spot (scrathes head stuck at work here) but not CTD. But I am playing on a minimum spec machine too :P

S!
Rocket

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 23, 2006, 09:45:44 AM

Quote

Originally posted by hitech
You are incorect in your assesment.

It realy is a host connection lost.

The system does not prevent you from trying to attach to a full arena.

Once you attach, the system does a current count. And then since it is full you get disconected.

The resone it is done this way , is because the counts are not 100% real time up to date. For instance you could be in the arena list screen for a long time, and the real state of the arenas are different from your current display.

The resone why you are shown the message vs returned to the arena list, was by user request. Because most real disconects are caused isp connection loss, and then you could not get the arena list anyway, and you would be on a hang / waiting for time out condition.

I completely understand the logic to your statement here HT. I appreciate you clearing up the reasons behind all of it; you squashed my assessment in item #1 in my original post. Good stuff!

What I should point out here, though (see #2 in orig. post)...is that everytime I try to connect to a now full arena (maybe my list is stale, or someone gets the last spot milliseconds before me, whatever)...my game shouldnt close out completely. I should instead be returned to the arena list or something.

I have no idea how your software is constructed for player joining functionality but...couldnt you do something to this effect?

onArenaConnectAttempt...

if (currentArenaCount < MAX_ARENA_COUNT);
{
joinArena(playerID);
}
else
{
disconnectPlayer(ARENA_FULL_MESSAGE);
ShowArenaList();

//instead of:
/* disconnectPlayer(HOST_CONN_LOST_MESSAGE);
Application.Exit(); */

}

I know you reponded to my other post, which spawned 4 pages of whining, etc. that this might require a full client release. If so, can we get it in the next release??

:aok

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: BugsBunny on October 23, 2006, 10:18:40 AM

Hey mr software engineer sir. Did you notice that we did not have a front end roll out? I am sure HT will do somthing about it when a new FE comes out but, what would you do if you had to make a change on the Host but did not have time to roll another FE?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: hitech on October 23, 2006, 11:33:05 AM

Casper: If you notice you no longer get disconected if you click on a full lw arena. Instead you are put in the other LW arena.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 23, 2006, 03:28:41 PM

I'll check it out tonight. Thanks HT!

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Casper1 on October 23, 2006, 03:30:07 PM

Quote

Originally posted by BugsBunny
Hey mr software engineer sir. Did you notice that we did not have a front end roll out? I am sure HT will do somthing about it when a new FE comes out but, what would you do if you had to make a change on the Host but did not have time to roll another FE?

I would personally fix it, but thats me :).

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 06, 2006, 02:48:32 PM

In the evening (U.S.), during AH2 peek usage I am sure, I get the "Host Connection Lost" about every 45 minutes or so, and the game terminates. I wrote a VB program to monitor my connection to the game server. What I was surprised in learning is that there is no problem with packets getting to the game server. It appears as my connection is being dropped on the remote end, i.e.: the game server. This doesn't happen to the group I fly with. Also, the system I run is pristine, free of malware, spyware, and virii.

The game exe has a small memory signature, and starts very quickly, so getting back into the game is no problem. However, after investing 15 minutes into climbing a Lancaster group up to 20K with a full load of eggs, and then receiving "Host Connection Lost", perhaps you can share with me for a brief moment my frustration.

I wish there could be a "resume" where I was before the error kicks me out of the game. However, as a developer myself I recognize the security implications of such a feature (people exploiting the game and so forth.)

Do I share this connection lost for no apparent reason issue with other AH2 players?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: hitech on November 06, 2006, 02:51:55 PM

Roach:
"about every 45 minutes or so" This makes me think it is not just a random drop, but something else running on a timer. Either on your system,your router, or your ISP.

HiTech

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 06, 2006, 03:19:48 PM

Quote

Originally posted by hitech
Roach:
"about every 45 minutes or so" This makes me think it is not just a random drop, but something else running on a timer. Either on your system,your router, or your ISP.

HiTech

I should have selected my words more carefully; it may be within 30 minutes of a drop, or 80 minutes. It seems to happen most frequently when the census is high on the AH2 servers. During off-peek hours, I seldom experience the connection to host lost issue.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: The Fugitive on November 06, 2006, 03:27:03 PM

Maybe its your ISP that has a bottleneck and is dumping you. Id run a ping plot to the HTC servers after a drop, as well as one to a different server for comparison.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 06, 2006, 03:37:10 PM

Quote

Originally posted by The Fugitive
Maybe its your ISP that has a bottleneck and is dumping you. Id run a ping plot to the HTC servers after a drop, as well as one to a different server for comparison.

The VB program I wrote does essentially the same thing. I have a good route to the game server. I'm on DSL, and I operate the ISP, we are a broadband DSL provider in Lincoln Nebraska. From what I am seeing, it looks like the connection is dropped on the remote server. It looks like maybe, and just taking a stab here, that the AH2 Ethernet switch(s), a capacity issue perhaps, however, I am not sure why certain connections are given preference. A friend on AH2 suggested that higher speed broadband users seem to experience more issues like this than do lower speed dialup subscribers, based on his observations. I've not been a customer of AH2 long enough to make such an observation.

Ironically, just now as I type this on one PC I look over and see my AH2 game on the PC next to me has the "Host Connection lost" message. I will click "OK" and it will terminate.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Fencer51 on November 06, 2006, 04:17:27 PM

For what it's worth, a squadie had a similar problem getting dumped that came at a set interval. He eventually traced it to a program that came with his HP printer.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 06, 2006, 04:28:14 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Fencer51
For what it's worth, a squadie had a similar problem getting dumped that came at a set interval. He eventually traced it to a program that came with his HP printer.

I promise it is not a local software issue. The monitor indicates a consistent route to the remote host. My SSH2 sessions to remote equipment remain connected for hours on end. Other online games such as Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, remain connected indefinitely. Thank you kindly for the suggestion, however, the system is pristine.

For other thread readers that are having connection issues, they might check for the HP software you mentioned though. These threads are good for solutions archiving.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Clifra Jones on November 06, 2006, 04:40:45 PM

Roach, when you say "pristine" system what exactly do you mean? Are you running only the minimum processes necessary to run AH? Can you be absolutely sure of that? It sounds like you have an auto-updater running in the background that is querying the internet every so often. These are not necessarily on a set time schedule and if you have more than one then it can be hard to pin down on a time basis. There are many of these out there. they may not necessarily disco you every time they run. It depends on how long they run andhow much data they pull down. Some symptoms are random screen freezes and warping.

Windows Update service
Adobe Acrobat Reader auto updater
Java Plug-in
Anti-Virus software
Many, many printers

Skuzzy has a good sticky in the Tech Support forum on this subject and also search the BBS for a post by me regarding Hardware Profiles, I wrote a very lenghty post on how to optimize a system. Just don't have time to find the link right now.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 06, 2006, 04:45:02 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Clifra Jones
Roach, when you say "pristine" system what exactly do you mean? Are you running only the minimum processes necessary to run AH? Can you be absolutely sure of that? It sounds like you have an auto-updater running in the background that is querying the internet every so often. These are not necessarily on a set time schedule and if you have more than one then it can be hard to pin down on a time basis. There are many of these out there. they may not necessarily disco you every time they run. It depends on how long they run andhow much data they pull down. Some symptoms are random screen freezes and warping.

Windows Update service
Adobe Acrobat Reader auto updater
Java Plug-in
Anti-Virus software
Many, many printers

Skuzzy has a good sticky in the Tech Support forum on this subject and also search the BBS for a post by me regarding Hardware Profiles, I wrote a very lenghty post on how to optimize a system. Just don't have time to find the link right now.

I will look at the sticky post you suggest.

I have no TSR's running in the background other than those required by Windows. Auto Update is disabled.

correction - I do run the CH Products TSR to map the buttons on my flight controller, and that is a TSR.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Skuzzy on November 06, 2006, 05:20:59 PM

Which ICMP message is your program using to test the connection with? I am asking as I am trying to determine if you are actually testing each router along the way, or are you just doing and end to end test?

If you are not using an ICMP message, what packet protocol are you using to determine the quality of the connection?

Also note, the loss of the connection while being symptomatic of possibly network issues, could also be related to other issues. If you would, email me the output of the DXDIAG utility, along with the in-game video settings you are using.

Just curious, what is the total number of processes shown in the Windows Task manager, under the "Processes" tab. Also, what is the CPU usage doing in the same place?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 07, 2006, 12:22:18 AM

I am not going to worry about this too much for now. I haven't decided if I will continue using the game software as it is. There seems to be a lot of inequality in the moderation of the game text and who is allowed to exercise, or abuse, as the case often is, their text speaking privilege. The forums here tend to be a bit chaotic at times as well, and so much insulting or overall intolerance.

I guess I expected this to be more of an adult game. It was advertised on The Military Channel, which has a mostly adult audience. This is possibly why I made the assumption. Maybe most mature adults simply do not play online games. I guess most of the gamers I know are youngsters.

However, pending my decision, I will get the information and implement any suggestions I receive.

The flight simulation and combat simulation on its own is top-notch though, less the connection issue. As a student pilot I do appreciate the accuracy of the simulation.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: BugsBunny on November 07, 2006, 08:17:14 AM

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
Which ICMP message is your program using to test the connection with? I am asking as I am trying to determine if you are actually testing each router along the way, or are you just doing and end to end test?

If you are not using an ICMP message, what packet protocol are you using to determine the quality of the connection?

Also note, the loss of the connection while being symptomatic of possibly network issues, could also be related to other issues. If you would, email me the output of the DXDIAG utility, along with the in-game video settings you are using.

Just curious, what is the total number of processes shown in the Windows Task manager, under the "Processes" tab. Also, what is the CPU usage doing in the same place?

Skuzzy,

This is a troll man.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 07, 2006, 11:14:06 AM

Quote

Originally posted by BugsBunny
Skuzzy,

This is a troll man.

Presumptuous, being frustrated with certain elements of the game does not make one a troll. In fact "BugsBunny", you merely contribute to the intolerance I witness here.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 07, 2006, 11:27:13 AM


C:\>tasklist

Image Name                   PID Session Name     Session#    Mem Usage
========================= ====== ================ ======== ============
System Idle Process            0 Console                 0         16 K
System                         4 Console                 0        220 K
SMSS.EXE                     436 Console                 0        404 K
CSRSS.EXE                    496 Console                 0      3,896 K
WINLOGON.EXE                 520 Console                 0        700 K
SERVICES.EXE                 568 Console                 0      3,972 K
LSASS.EXE                    580 Console                 0      5,688 K
SVCHOST.EXE                  788 Console                 0      4,356 K
SVCHOST.EXE                  824 Console                 0     20,080 K
SVCHOST.EXE                  884 Console                 0      3,112 K
SVCHOST.EXE                 1024 Console                 0      4,612 K
SPOOLSV.EXE                 1132 Console                 0      4,828 K
NVSVC32.EXE                 1328 Console                 0      2,500 K
StarWindService.exe         1412 Console                 0      1,884 K
alg.exe                      164 Console                 0      3,280 K
jusched.exe                  256 Console                 0      1,644 K
LWEMon.exe                   284 Console                 0      4,728 K
SetPoint.exe                 392 Console                 0      7,068 K
devldr32.exe                 544 Console                 0      2,936 K
KHALMNPR.EXE                1172 Console                 0      3,016 K
inetinfo.exe                1648 Console                 0      4,820 K
dllhost.exe                 2964 Console                 0      7,844 K
msdtc.exe                   3112 Console                 0      4,960 K
taskmgr.exe                 3228 Console                 0      4,316 K
cmd.exe                     2688 Console                 0      2,436 K
tasklist.exe                1224 Console                 0      4,352 K
wmiprvse.exe                3180 Console                 0      5,372 K

SetPoint.exe is for the Logitech mouse. I don't believe it is causing a problem, since it didn't show up in tcpdump when I was viewing traffic.

The monitor Visual Basic program I wrote simply uses ICMP, and creates a visual graph, red lines indicating an interruption in the connection. Originally, I was concerned it was a problem with my connection, which it turned out not to be.

I can email you a traceroute, as I prefer not to post it here.

And for others reading this thread, here is where you can find all of the Windows programs that are loading in background, those pesky TSR's.

In regedit.exe:

Both the HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hives have the following path to check: \Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Under the start menu, Programs, and the Startup Group.

In the win.ini, a legacy file, there may also be TSR's under the run parameter. Run sysedit.exe and look for Run=

Typically, what I do when I am ready to launch Aces High, I first open the task manager and kill anything not needed, such as AltDesk.exe, a multiple desktop manager.

I am a minimalist from the days of the 640K base memory limitation, when a 16K MS Mouse driver kept a DOS game from running, because it required 6t05K of base memory all to itself!

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: BugsBunny on November 08, 2006, 11:17:25 AM

Quote

Originally posted by roach

C:\>tasklist

Image Name PID Session Name Session# Mem Usage
========================= ====== ================ ======== ============
System Idle Process 0 Console 0 16 K
System 4 Console 0 220 K
SMSS.EXE 436 Console 0 404 K
CSRSS.EXE 496 Console 0 3,896 K
WINLOGON.EXE 520 Console 0 700 K
SERVICES.EXE 568 Console 0 3,972 K
LSASS.EXE 580 Console 0 5,688 K
SVCHOST.EXE 788 Console 0 4,356 K
SVCHOST.EXE 824 Console 0 20,080 K
SVCHOST.EXE 884 Console 0 3,112 K
SVCHOST.EXE 1024 Console 0 4,612 K
SPOOLSV.EXE 1132 Console 0 4,828 K
NVSVC32.EXE 1328 Console 0 2,500 K
StarWindService.exe 1412 Console 0 1,884 K
alg.exe 164 Console 0 3,280 K
jusched.exe 256 Console 0 1,644 K
LWEMon.exe 284 Console 0 4,728 K
SetPoint.exe 392 Console 0 7,068 K
devldr32.exe 544 Console 0 2,936 K
KHALMNPR.EXE 1172 Console 0 3,016 K
inetinfo.exe 1648 Console 0 4,820 K
dllhost.exe 2964 Console 0 7,844 K
msdtc.exe 3112 Console 0 4,960 K
taskmgr.exe 3228 Console 0 4,316 K
cmd.exe 2688 Console 0 2,436 K
tasklist.exe 1224 Console 0 4,352 K
wmiprvse.exe 3180 Console 0 5,372 K

My intoleranse tells me you are trolling. Maybe because you keep saing TSR, but just in case, here are some things to check. Now, dont get me wrong but the word pristine does not come to mind when I see this. Also, anyone that could write a 'VB' program to do what you said would have checked these things first before coming in here asking and please please please stop using the word TSR. lol:

jusched.exe http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/jusched.exe.html

SMSS.EXE
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/smss.exe.html

WINLOGON.EXE
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/winlogon.exe.html

LSASS check for the sasser virus

StarWindService.exe
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/starwindservice.exe.html

alg.exe can be a trojan
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/alg.exe.html

SetPoint.exe
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/setpoint.exe.html

devldr32.exe
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/devldr32.exe.html

inetinfo.exe Huh????
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/inetinfo.exe.html

dllhost: This is geting better, lol
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/dllhost.exe.html

MSDTC: Now we are getting some perormance boost
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/msdtc.exe.html

wmiprvse.exe
http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/wmiprvse.exe.html

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: BugsBunny on November 08, 2006, 11:19:10 AM

Quote

Originally posted by roach
Presumptuous, being frustrated with certain elements of the game does not make one a troll. In fact "BugsBunny", you merely contribute to the intolerance I witness here.

Oh, and please don't hurt my feelings like that again, ok?

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Clifra Jones on November 08, 2006, 01:46:18 PM

Quote

Pristine!?!?! :rofl

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: Clifra Jones on November 08, 2006, 01:47:12 PM

Quote

Originally posted by BugsBunny
Oh, and please don't hurt my feelings like that again, ok?

I'm goin with the troll too, Bugs.

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: BugsBunny on November 08, 2006, 04:12:51 PM

Quote

Originally posted by Clifra Jones
I'm goin with the troll too, Bugs.

You have to watch out for those TSRs man. They eat up your connections and stuff :noid

Title: Suggestions for 'Host Connection Lost' Annoyance
Post by: roach on November 11, 2006, 12:56:03 PM

Terminate and Stay Resident is a legacy term for background process, from the DOS days we referred to programs running in memory, such as "afterdark" or the MS mouse driver loaded in autoexec.exe a TSR. They consumed memory, precious base memory, and the fewer TSR's the better. Personally, I hate Windows and work primarily with UNIX environments, yet understand the necessary evil.

The machine is pristine for a developer's computer, relatively, as everything truly is relative, especially around here. Consider how bbunny invests time into providing links to each processes, while being helpful, and still insulting.

The fact is that background processes, which generate "any" IP traffic, do impact AH2. Although this game runs extremely well on low bandwidth connections, such as dialup, it is also very sensitive to the most brief of interruptions by low bandwidth TSR's, such as a Sun Java update checker.

What I don't understand is how some people merely warp about in the game, while others drop like a rock to the land of disconnect without any warning.

I've killed more of the background processes, which appeared to create occasional very light traffic (when watching tcpdump on the edge router) and believe there has been a benefit.

In three hours of connection I only received one disconnect. It is interesting to note that I never receive any warning, no messages in the game to indicate any connection problem, not even the beacon light.

Another interesting to note, nothing running in that process list ever cause connection problems with the handful of other online games I have used, such as Medal of Honor, Allied Assault, or Battlefield 1942.

note: The sun java updater doesn't appear in my task manager.