Cannot Connect to Servers!

To start, here are my system specs:
40GB Hard-drive
1.99GHz AMD Athlon Processor
1GB DDR RAM
256MB GDDR3 ATI Radeon X700 Pro (PCI Express)

Secondly, the equipment and ISP:
The router - http://www.netgear.com/products/details/MR814.php
How I'm connected to that router - Through a "802.11 Wireless LAN USB Adapter." It looks like a USB flashdrive with a long USB cable.
Our ISP - http://www.timewarnercable.com/piedmonttriad/ [Road Runner (Cable)]

The Problem:
When I play CS:S or DoD:S I cannot pass the "Parsing game info..." section of loading a server. When creating a server, it locks up at the Establishing connection to server" phase. Also, while I can connect to the Master Game Server to get the server list, it seems 'limited' as I only get an average of five servers per refresh. Now, once in a blue moon, I can actually get a decent sized list, join a server and play. Once connected I can seem to stay connected, but changing servers puts me back in my original situation.

What I've done to see if I could remedy this:
1. Disabled Norton
2. Checked to make sure Windows Firewall is off (About 100 times).
3. Called Road Runner (Twice) making sure that port-blocking or a firewall wasn't the problem.
4. Moved the computer into the same room (Three feet from the router).
5. Used my brother's USB adapter.
6. Contacted Steam, involving a conversation several emails long, and doing everything they asked. They can't seem to find it and they've had me running a system diagnostics test to see what was active on my computer.
7. Physically cleaned the PC.
8. Did a 'System Restore' via the built-in restore feature.
9. Connected directly to the modem via an Ethernet cable (This solved it, but IS NOT a permanent option).

[All these have been done in combinations and nothing but the last had any effect.]

Additional Information:
I had been playing World of WarCraft and am now playing Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. Both run/ran without issue.
So, if anyone here can help, please take the time to do so.

With the greatest thanks and hope,
Alexander

 

Sorry not an answer but I have several friends with the same issue and the only resolution is to plug the modem via ethernet. It is only Steam applications they have this problem. Steam as you have found out have no idea why this happens.

 

I know you didn't answer but it is good to know that I'm not alone in this. If one of them finds the cure, please email me at hilton_alexander@hotmail.com.

 

For sure I will.

 

I had a similar problem on my Linksys router after i upgraded the Firmware. I was unable to play CS:S i woudl stay conencted for about one minute and then get knocked off. If someone in your house upgraded ur routers firmware recently i would try and find the oklder firmware drivers, if they cannot be located ask netgears tech support. You may have to play around with newer and older firmware's to find one that works with CS:S. I know its a pain in the ass but its how i solved my problem.

On another note you may wish to check your routers port fowarding that may help the problem if you hadent already tried it.

I feel your pain man and i hope this helps