SL has recently started tanking my internet.

[Atarashi Silvercloud]

So for the last couple months SL has been nearly completely unusable for me because of an apparent internet connection problem. I have Suddenlink cable internet service, not wireless. I haven't changed my plan or anything, but I literally can no longer use SL. Nothing loads or takes an excessively long time. My avatar takes forever to load if it even does, surroundings take forever to load, textures, voice rarely loads, everything, I can almost never successfully teleport anywhere either. To top it off when I have SL running absolutely ANYTHING else using the internet just completely stops working (ie: websites in normal internet browsers won't even load) I've never had a single problem with this type of thing until the last few months. I used to be able to log into SL and just play around for hours and hours on end. I'd have browsers open, skype, whatever - no problems. I've tried contacting Suddenlink but they are pretty much worthless and it's literally only SL that's affected. I've always had it set to 500kps and I've changed it around to go lower and higher and that doesn't ever seem to affect it either.

Could this be a modem problem? I know they do go bad over time and/or outdate. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to do about it. Online gaming, skype, youtube, netflix - none of that has a problem it's just SecondLife. And I've made sure Kaspersky isn't blocking it either.

Should probably add I literally got a brand new computer on the 28th of this month, so it's not a cache problem AND the problem persisted from my old computer to the new one.
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I mostly use: Firestorm 4.3.1 (31155)

As for my computer: CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-3570 CPU @ 3.40GHz (3410.04 MHz)
Memory: 8146 MB
OS Version: Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit Service Pack 1 (Build 7601)
Graphics Card Vendor: NVIDIA Corporation
Graphics Card: GeForce GTX 660 Ti/PCIe/SSE2 (x2)

But again, the problem is exactly the same as it was on my old computer which was nothing like this one. It's just weird that it's really only SL that does this to my internet (completely wipe it out when I get on there). I didn't know if there was some recent update or something that just became really resource heavy or what. Or if it was a modem problem I get into below.

 

As for graphics settings, this hardly has any affect whatsoever. Low to ultra really doesn't change load times or any of the problems I've mentioned :C But yes, I have tried that XD Plus my old computer could only really run things on Low-Medium so I never even tried to go higher on that one!

 

I've tried resetting my modem a thousand times, which is why I'm really frustrated with my provider. It simply does not work. Ever. And that is their only solution to anything of course. The packet loss is absolutely god awful. I should mention my internet service is utter crap on a good day, as in frequently "hiccups" like randomly loses connection or won't load anything, but usually only for a couple seconds before coming back. It's always been this way, but the last couple of months it has only started to REALLY affect SL. Again, with the exact same provider, house, everything I used to be able to browse anything, watch anything, download anything, and run SL at the same time no problems at all. So that's why I was kind of thinking maybe the modem was just going bad altogether. I've heard of routers doing this, wasn't 100% sure if modems did also.

I do not have a router and my modem has a ridiculous password, so I don't think it's that. I did wonder that at one point though so now I can see anyone who uses my wireless, just in case, but it's never been used by anyone other than me or a friend I've had over or something.

Looks like I might just be going to the local business place for Suddenlink to see if I can get a new modem, since their "tech support" is an absolute joke. When I mentioned the packet loss to them they were just like, "but you get the download speed you pay for." So basically I have to just deal with your service being crap is what you're saying -.-

[Nalates Urriah]

When you ask a tech question include information about your computer and viewer. If the viewer will at least show the login screen, get the info from the viewer's Help-About... and paste that into your post with your question. Help->About... provides all the version numbers we need.  To add your info to an existing question use OPTIONS->EDIT. It’s in the upper right of your post.

[Peggy Paperdoll]

"...

Could this be a modem problem? I know they do go bad over time and/or outdate

..."

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Yes.  Modems and routers tend to cause problems just as you discribe.  Both those devices are really rather rugged and last for years with little or no maintenance.  But what happens is that their purpose in "life" is to transfer data in both directions (to your computer and from your computer) which requires memory.......that memory (like all memory) is not purfect and has what is called memory leaks.  Somewhat of a bogus definition since what really happens is the memory is not completely released for use after it's used.........those small "leaks" add up over time when effectively reduces the amount of workable memory to be used (maybe that's what they mean by "memory leak").  That slows them down which shows up in SL as lag.  The common fix for that problem is to reboot them.  But since they don't have a shut down feature the way you reboot them is to unplug them from their electrical source for 3 to 5 minutes before plugging them back in.  Typically you will need to reboot your computer to re-establish the Inernet connection.  That rebooting dumps the memory so that you can start over again with all the memory the devices have.  Rebooting your modem and router probably is necessary every once in a while (maybe as often as once a week or as seldom as once every 6 months).  When you experience subtle changes in your connection try the rebooting trick.......you'll be surprised at how often your problems go away.

One note on a router (if you have one).  Even if you are connected to your router via an Ethernet cable most (practically all) routers are wireless capable.  A very good trend for the more recently manufactured routers is that they are "locked down" by default.  But just a year or so ago that default was wide open..........any one within reception range of the router can connect to your Internet without any problems (just "connect" and they have free access to everything you have access to on the Internet).   If you have an older router you need to dig up that manual (or call their tech support) and "lock it down".  That also could be at the root of your problem..

[Dianne Melson]

at the risk of stating the obvious - have you tried reducing to low graphics on your preferences?  Maybe make sure lighting and shadows is switched off because that seems to be the troublemaker lately.

[SDLshannon]

Hi Atarashi Silvercloud- My name is Shannon and I am with Suddenlink.  I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with your internet service and would be happy to help resolve the issue.  Please feel free to email me at shannon-AT-suddenlink-DOT-com. Thanks!

[KarenMichelle Lane]

Now that's service -