I hate my internet connection, Help?

[PlaylistOne]

So for a while now, I have been putting up with my horrible internet connection. The problems range from the following:

Xbox360 Gaming:
-Often have trouble connecting to matches
-sometimes must put up with a quite a bit of lag
-Disconnected from Xbox Live parties for no apparent reason

PC gaming:
Every, and I mean EVERY game I play online, such as Counter Strike 1.6, Battlefield Heroes, and the occasional Quake 3 match, I must put up with bursts of lag. Every 45 seconds to 2 minutes I experience a short burst of lag that lasts around 5 seconds, usually resulting in my death.

Every Day PC use:
-Youtube video load times range from slow, to fast but stopping all together half way through.
-Internet browsing will be somewhat fast, but occasionally experience short bursts of slow down and disconnection (similar to when gaming on my PC)

I know for a fact that it isn't any of the hardware. The router is brand new, and works great when I'm not experiencing the problems above, the internet adapter for my PC is new as well, works great and has almost nothing but good reviews. My mother has similar problems to the ones listed under Every Day PC use.


My problems must be caused by my internet provider. I currently have Verizon DSL, and I probably need something better. What do you recommend?

 

[Emphraim]

Do a speed test on speedtest.net. If the numbers are low, then it's probably your internet provider. Also, are you using WiFi? WiFi always has lag because it has to refresh the connection every few minutes.

 

[Rascarin]

Some areas just have poor service... where I live, we are right on the very edge of where Broadband can be provided, and as a result, our connection stinks. If this is the case with you, then unfortunately, switching providers won't make a difference...

 

[PlaylistOne]

Do a speed test on speedtest.net. If the numbers are low, then it's probably your internet provider. Also, are you using WiFi? WiFi always has lag because it has to refresh the connection every few minutes.

What would classify as a low score?
And how do I know if I use WiFi?

Some areas just have poor service... where I live, we are right on the very edge of where Broadband can be provided, and as a result, our connection stinks. If this is the case with you, then unfortunately, switching providers won't make a difference...

I live in New Jersey, and plenty of my friends and family have great internet service.

 

[PlaylistOne]

I'm exactly them same, 768k...FTW? .
Do a speed test and tell us what you get.

On speedtest.net I got a 3.4

 

[Emphraim]

I'm exactly them same, 768k...FTW? .
Do a speed test and tell us what you get.

On speedtest.net I got a 3.4

3.4 download or upload? Also WiFi is wireless internet. Do you use wireless?

 

[PlaylistOne]

I'm exactly them same, 768k...FTW? .
Do a speed test and tell us what you get.

On speedtest.net I got a 3.4

3.4 download or upload? Also WiFi is wireless internet. Do you use wireless?

Download, and yeah, my house uses a wireless router.

 

[Vuljatar]

Wireless is bad. No matter what.

I suffered with wireless for years with the exact same problems you describe, then I just bought an ethernet cable and ran it from my router to my computer. Now my connection is rock solid, and faster than it ever was with wireless.

 

[PlaylistOne]

Wireless is bad. No matter what.

I suffered with wireless for years with the exact same problems you describe, then I just bought an ethernet cable and ran it from my router to my computer. Now my connection is rock solid, and faster than it ever was with wireless.

So I just spend $80 on a brand new wireless internet adapter for nothing... Great

 

[frago roc]

5.77Mb/s down, 0.67Mb/s up

Rogers can die in fire along with Bell.

EDIT:

[http://www.speedtest.net]

 

[Beffudled Sheep]

Wireless is bad. No matter what.

I suffered with wireless for years with the exact same problems you describe, then I just bought an ethernet cable and ran it from my router to my computer. Now my connection is rock solid, and faster than it ever was with wireless.

My wireless works better than when I use a cable.

 

[PlaylistOne]

Copy and paste it to here (when it's done, you'll see a "copy forum link" button.

For example here's mine:

[http://www.speedtest.net]

While my download and upload suck my ping is still acceptable, so i can game with it fine.
Also wireless is only bad if you don't configure it right.

[http://www.speedtest.net]

 

[PlaylistOne]

You see how your ping is about 130? That's bad .

So it is Verizon?

 

[DazZ.]

I get short bursts of lag when I use the "Windows Zero Configuration" that is with Windows, If I disable this and just use my Belkin wireless software it works flawless.

Maybe use your wireless adapters own software if your not already?

 

[PlaylistOne]

You see how your ping is about 130? That's bad .

So it is Verizon?

Most likely. But before you go out and switch providers, I suggest plugging a computer directly into the router and running another test, just to rule out any (unlikely) wireless problems.

But it's probably verizon .

I don't have an Ethernet cable that long