Verizon DSL Wireless, HIGH PING/LAG

hi, i've never posted here but i need help with my computer.

my major problem is that my internet will lose connection throught the day. i'm a newb when it comes to computer stuff, so bare with me. i have verizon dsl that is wireless through linksys. in my toolbar on the bottom right of my computer, the connection icon says "Speed: 11.0 MBps, Signal Strength: Very Good." i dont trust this at all because sometimes i cannot access the internet (brings up page cannot be found thing) even when it say 11.0 MBps and EXCELLENT signal strength. we have 3 computers in our house, and mine is about 3 rooms away from the linksys antenna thing.

i love gaming online through my pc. i play cs and bf 1942 mostly, not that anyone cares, but i guess you should know that just in case. when i was playing on 1.5 (cs), i couldn't even get into the server(s). no matter how many i tried getting into, it wouldn't let me in. then i tried playing on 1.6 (cs). i was able to get into the games but my ping was at anywhere from 300 to 3000. this royally pissed me off seeing how everyone else was pinging at a healthy 30 to 60 range.

i'm not sure what it is called, but i think it is the router. the thing that plugs into the internet, then the linksys transmits it to my wireless card i guess. my dad says when the three lights are lit up on the "router", it means we have connection, which we does (one is power, always on..one is data, will turn off sometimes, and i'm not sure what the third one is...) my own most likely wrong theory is that verizon just craps out a lot, because the router thing loses all of the lights except power (only power light is on but internet connection lights or off).

is my verizon dsl wireless just really crappy? is it my location (southern california)? is it the company? what causes my lag! please, please help me

thanks, matt

 

by the way, my computer specs are...

Operating System: windows xp
System memory: 256mb
Mother board: compaq hp workstation xw4000
Video card: quadro4 200nvs (64mb)

 

Check your bandwidth and post back. I can totally relate to poor DSL

lax.speakeasy.net

 

please excuse my ignorance, but how do i check bandwith?

i make sure i dont run any other programs (aol, music, downloads) while i play.
although, i dont know how to check to see if i'm running any programs...

 

www.dslreports.com > tools > speed test.

I can also relate to shotty bandwidth from DSL nyc.verizon.net

 

2004-07-11 04:22:52 EST: 261 / 117
Your download speed : 267383 bps, or 261 kbps.
A 32.6 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 120754 bps, or 117 kbps.

i didn't have any programs running other than internet explorer.i did this test at 1:24 am because i cant sleep and i decided to check my post. is this good? bad? keep in mind if this is good, my internet still will just die to the point where i cant access it at all.

 

What is your service rated for?

What speed is your line?

My line is 1536/1024, but my service only provides 1500/896.

Add in the crap factor of my ISP, you get

220k-500k most times.

Im about ready to kick their butt down the street. But they are trying, so I will give them a little longer.

 

well, i'm not the owner of the dsl, it's my dads...

how do i find that info out?

you said you get 220k-500k, so i'm at the low end here...

i'm thinking of just dropping dsl all together, what would be the best solution? cable? a lot of my friends are saying cable is the way to go...

 

From cable you will ussaly get (if its not saturated) 500k-1.5mb down and about 80-150k up.

Right now im on optimum online and getting 800k down and 120k up.

 

Cox offers 2.5 down here for home packages.