Lag when hosting a D2 network game

[Guest]

Okay, here's my friend's scenario:
2 PC's, one win98se, one win98
Both have a NIC, 192.168.0.1 & *.*.*.2
Both have a modem, so ICS is _not_ in use

And here's the problem:
When the primary machine hosts a D2 net game, it experiences really bad lag in the following pattern:

1) Lag strikes within 5 minutes of the game starting;
2) Lag lasts for about 1 minute, give or take 5-10 seconds;
3) Game runs smoothly for 5 minutes (almost to the second!);
4) Repeat steps 2 & 3 until you die or get sick of it.

Being a seasoned tech, I had the user disable Browse Master on both PC's (because of the 5 minute interval). No help there. I had him check for new drivers on the mobo, the NIC, and the modem. I haven't been able to figure this one out, so...

Any ideas?

 

[NoNameRequired]

Can both computers see themselves on the network ? Are they using the same workgroup name ? Do they have the same subnet number ? What protocols are you using ?

 

[Guest]

Both computers are using the same subnet. Both are using tcp/ip protocols for the modems and nic's.

 

[Guest]

Oh, yeah. Both computers can see each other. Both have the same workgroup name.

 

[NoNameRequired]

Did you install the lastest Diablo II patch for both computers ?

 

[Rapmaster]

I heard of this a lot when the game first came out.

How much RAM do you have? To host a game, 128MB is the bare minimum and 256MB is preferred (even more is better.) The game chews up a lot of resources when you host.

The slowdowns are usually caused when the game tries to save the characters (happens automatically every so often), from what I heard.

If you are noticing a lot of hard disk activity on the host PC, this is probably it...


Is your friend loading into another level/area when it happens?
That could be it too...


also try turning off the automap (that's more of a general performance thing)

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by NoNameRequired

Can both computers see themselves on the network ?

Yes. This also worked after I had him set the Browse Master setting on both machines to "Disable".

Are they using the same workgroup name ?

Yes.

Do they have the same subnet number ?

Yes, 255.255.255.0.

What protocols are you using ?

TCP/IP, obviously, but I believe he also has NetBEUI and IPX/SPX installed, on both machines.


Rapmaster: I believe the main PC has 256, and the lag strikes whenever he hosts a multiplayer game. Neither the other local machine, nor any other remote machine needs to connect to the game he hosts.
He can turn on the system, remove all but explorer & systray from memory, & start & host a D2 game. Go stand by a torch, & he sees the pattern listed above.

I'm quite sure he has the latest patch, but I don't know if he's getting heavy HDD activity during the lag; I'll check. BTW, the two posts by "Unregistered" are him. Didn't read the 'readme' before posting, eh M.?

 

[NoNameRequired]

Have you tried updating the NICs on both computers ?

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by NoNameRequired
Have you tried updating the NICs on both computers ?

Drivers, yes. I could check and see if he has an extra NIC to swap out, just to check...



[humility]
Note to self: Don't bag on M. for posting as "Unregistered" in a post entered as "Unregistered". ;-)
[/humility]