Time for new router? Firmware Update?

[TheOrangeJuicer]

I have an issue with my home network and I am not sure if it is the router or just a simple firmware/driver update for my hardware. Basically I have 2 computers connected through wire to a WRT54G that I got 5 or 6 years ago. I don't use the wireless signal.

I am an online gamer so I like to keep my lag to a minimal so this issue is pretty annoying. If I am by myself, with only my computer on, I don't experience any bandwidth lag. When I turn on the 2nd computer, it starts to lag. I won't even be surfing the net on the 2nd machine and it creates lag spikes. For example, yesterday I started playing on a server with only 16 PING and it wasn't lagging at all. She then comes in and turns on her computer to write a paper. I then start to experience bandwidth lag. She doesn't even have to have her browser open. No downloading updates or anything just a computer sitting there that happens to be online because it is connected to my router. I unplugged her Cat5 cable from her computer and my bandwidth lag goes away.

In my opinion, a 6 MB connection should not stutter with only 2 computers connected to it. Especially when the 2nd computer isn't even doing anything on the web. Am I wrong in assuming this?

Why am I experiencing this behavior? Is it time for a new router or would a simple firmware update possibly fix the problem? I haven't checked the latest firmware for at least 6 months so it may be out of date.

Any ideas as to why it would be doing this?

 

[keenan]

Something on the other computer is very likely using upstream bandwidth. Could be a virus, or bittorrent, or Limewire...

 

[gimp]

Something on the other computer is very likely using upstream bandwidth. Could be a virus, or bittorrent, or Limewire...

definitely agree with this.

if it only happens when the computer is turned on, then something on the computer has to be using up bandwidth.

 

[TheOrangeJuicer]

I am going to do some more testing when I get home. Thanks for the input. Is there a way to see how much bandwidth each computer is using up? I also have an XBOX360 hooked up to the Router which I forgot to mention but I have never had the XBOX on while playing games so I can't say whether or not it causes the same problem. I am going to see when I get home.

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel better knowing it probably isn't the router.

 

[gimp]

there are some bandwidth meters out there that install onto the machine, and can show both upstream and downstream is being used.

You can try the trial version of DUMeter. I've used it in the past, and is quite simple and straight-forward.

Then, you can use something like TCPView to find all the applications with active connections to try and pinpoint the bugger.

Having the XBox plugged in but not on should have no impact. Even having the XBox on should have no impact if it's not downloading any games or updates or being used for online play.