Re: Xbox Extender giving network congestion errors

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Todd Bowra [MSFT] (toddbow_at_online.microsoft.com)
Date: 02/04/05 

Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2005 09:23:45 -0800

Which of the following behaviors did you see after using TweakMCE?
1) You still saw the notification in the upper right informing you of
network problems
2) You didn't see the notification, but TV playback sometimes pauses
completely (audio and video)

It sounds like you're seeing behavior 1, which suggests that the setting
controlling network congestion recovery didn't stick; did you try step 7 in
my steps below?

> > 7) If you still see the notification in the upper right warning you of
> > network congestion, repeat steps 2-6, but select "Show Notification" in
> > step
> > 4 

-- 
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
"Kraig with a K" <kraig@kraig.kom> wrote in message
news:%233m3k9rCFHA.1264@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> Hi Todd
>
> Thanks, but still watching 10 seconds of jerky video isn't all thet great.
I
> guess it should also be noted that during the network congeston issue -
> audio always works fine. It's only the video that has the problem.
>
> Frustrating. It's almost like the terminal services can't send the video
> quickly enough to the xbox.  Could it be a decoder or encoder issue?
>
> K.
>
>
> "Todd Bowra [MSFT]" <toddbow@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:uG87mKnCFHA.3596@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > It appears that your network is operating right on the edge of
> > acceptability
> > (due to the drops in throughput to 0), which really makes no sense given
> > that it's 100 Mbps wired. Recovery from network congestion works
slightly
> > different with Live content (vs. buffered content), which would account
> > for
> > the two behaviors you see. Something to try:
> >
> > 1) Download and install the TweakMCE power toy (let me know if you don't
> > have this already)
> > 2) Launch Media Center on your PC, navigate to More Programs and select
> > TweakMCE
> > 3) From the main list, choose Extender and then Show Network Congestion
> > notification
> > 4) Select Do Not Show Notification; click Save and then Exit
> > 5) Restart your Media Center and your MCX
> > 6) Attempt to play recorded TV again
> > 7) If you still see the notification in the upper right warning you of
> > network congestion, repeat steps 2-6, but select "Show Notification" in
> > step
> > 4
> >
> > note: this is a workaround only - it doesn't resolve the underlying
issue
> > note 2: TweakMCE is an unsupported power toy and is not guaranteed to
work
> >
> > -- 
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> > rights.
> >
> >
> > "Kraig with a K" <kraig@kraig.kom> wrote in message
> > news:%23v$X50SCFHA.392@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> >> Hi Todd,
> >>
> >> yes it does! ... what could it be?
> >>
> >> and yes Kraig = Craig :)  Different computers used while posting... :)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Todd Bowra [MSFT]" <toddbow@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:OPblHZMCFHA.1932@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> >> > Quick experiment to try - start a Live TV stream, pause for 5
minutes,
> > and
> >> > then watch it (5 minutes behind Live - do not skip forward). Do you
see
> >> > network congestion issues?
> >> >
> >> > -- 
> >> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
> >> > rights.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > "Craig in Montreal" <craigmtl@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> > news:%23s8658LCFHA.1392@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> >> So I just tested mine.
> >> >>
> >> >> Crossover cable:  same problem
> >> >>
> >> >> Added second NIC with a D-Link DFW-538TX, disabled other.. tried
> > through
> >> >> a
> >> >> hub and switch:  same problem
> >> >>
> >> >> So now I'm back to the original problem - eveRy minute or so, I get
5
> >> >> seconds of Network Congestion.
> >> >>
> >> >> There is one thing I didn't mention earlier though: it is only on
> >> >> recorded
> >> >> TV.  I don't get the same problem on live TV.. so the network may
not
> > be
> >> > the
> >> >> issue..
> >> >>
> >> >> Kraig
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> "Todd Bowra [MSFT]" <toddbow@online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:%23Idfw2HCFHA.4008@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> >> > Another option that may be easier is to temporarily relocate the
> >> >> > Xbox
> >> > near
> >> >> > the PC.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Regarding the network usage graph - the fact that it drops to 0
> >> > indicates
> >> >> > that one of three things likely happened:
> >> >> > 1) Your PC stopped sending data
> >> >> > 2) Your network (router/switch/etc.) stopped relaying data
> >> >> > 3) Your Xbox stopped receiving data
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Based on previous observations, I'm inclined to believe that item
1
> > or
> >> >> > 2
> >> >> > is
> >> >> > at fault. You've mostly eliminated 2 as the source, but using a
> >> > cross-over
> >> >> > cable will confirm this. This leaves #1 as the likely cause.
Before
> > we
> >> > go
> >> >> > to
> >> >> > far down that path, it would be best to eliminate #2. Let us know
> >> >> > how
> >> >> > it
> >> >> > goes with the cross-over cable and we'll go from there.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > -- 
> >> >> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers
no
> >> >> > rights.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "JW" <anonymous@Nospam.Iam> wrote in message
> >> >> > news:u5yJLsGCFHA.612@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> >> >> >> If you have a short x-over cable and a regular cable then just
get
> >> >> >> a
> >> >> >> cable
> >> >> >> extender connector( 2 female connections) at RS it is a much more
> >> > useful
> >> >> >> adapter to have around the house.
> >> >> >> "Kraig with a K" <kraig@kraig.kom> wrote in message
> >> >> >> news:u8s9WYGCFHA.3416@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> >> >> >> > Hi Todd..
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> Few questions:
> >> >> >> >> - Have you rebooted both your PC and Xbox recently?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Yes, I reboot every couple days - and often shut down the
> >> >> >> > computer
> >> >> >> > if
> >> > I
> >> >> >> > have no scheduled recordings.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> - What have you changed/installed/removed on your PC between
the
> >> > time
> >> >> >> >> that
> >> >> >> >> things worked well and when the problem appeared?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I've done nothing, added nothing, installed nothing except
> >> >> >> > Windows
> >> >> >> > critical updates.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> - What is your full network topology, including all routers,
> >> > switches,
> >> >> >> >> PCs,
> >> >> >> >> etc.? What if anything has changed on your network between the
> > time
> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> worked and now?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Nothing has changed.    Topology:  Xbox over Cat5e network
cable
> > to
> >> > my
> >> >> >> > usual Linksys WAP54G router. Firmware is the latest.    I've
also
> >> > tried
> >> >> > it
> >> >> >> > with a Linksys EG0801W desktop Switch I borrowed from work.
> >> >> >> > DHCP
> >> >> >> > is
> >> >> >> > disabled, all static IPs.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I also have a Tosiba R100 laptop that connects wirelessly, but
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> > problem
> >> >> >> > does not change if the laptop is on or off. I have security
> > enabled
> >> > and
> >> >> > my
> >> >> >> > SSID is disabled - nobody is connecting to my wireless router
but
> >> >> >> > me.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> - Have you tried directly connecting your PC to the Xbox via a
> >> >> > crossover
> >> >> >> >> cable, eliminating all of your switches, routers, etc.?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > I don't have a 10 metre crossover cable I'm afraid, but I'll
try
> > and
> >> >> > hunt
> >> >> >> > that down tonight.. (so no, haven't checked this yet).
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> - While TV is streaming to your Xbox, open Task Manager and
> >> >> >> >> click
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> Networking tab; next select View --> Update Speed --> High.
Let
> >> >> >> >> this
> >> >> > run
> >> >> >> >> until you see the network congestion notification on your Xbox
> > then
> >> >> > check
> >> >> >> >> the Networking graph - are there any major drops in throughput
> >> >> >> >> (especially
> >> >> >> >> if they drop to 0) before you saw the network congestion
> >> > notification?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Yes it dropped to zero and then climbed back up to about 15%
> >> >> >> > usage
> >> >> >> > where
> >> >> >> > it was normal.  Rollercoaster graph.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Thanks..
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Kraig
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "Todd Bowra [MSFT]" <toddbow@online.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > message
> >> >> >> > news:uIKNB$7BFHA.3528@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> >> >> >> >> The most common cause for this behavior is a buggy driver for
> > your
> >> >> >> >> PC's
> >> >> >> >> Ethernet card; this doesn't appear to be the cause in your
case
> >> > given
> >> >> >> >> that
> >> >> >> >> this used to work and that you're running the latest driver.
The
> >> > next
> >> >> >> >> more
> >> >> >> >> common cause is firmware issues with switches/routers.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> Few questions:
> >> >> >> >> - Have you rebooted both your PC and Xbox recently?
> >> >> >> >> - What have you changed/installed/removed on your PC between
the
> >> > time
> >> >> >> >> that
> >> >> >> >> things worked well and when the problem appeared?
> >> >> >> >> - What is your full network topology, including all routers,
> >> > switches,
> >> >> >> >> PCs,
> >> >> >> >> etc.? What if anything has changed on your network between the
> > time
> >> >> > this
> >> >> >> >> worked and now?
> >> >> >> >> - Have you tried directly connecting your PC to the Xbox via a
> >> >> > crossover
> >> >> >> >> cable, eliminating all of your switches, routers, etc.?
> >> >> >> >> - While TV is streaming to your Xbox, open Task Manager and
> >> >> >> >> click
> >> >> >> >> on
> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> >> Networking tab; next select View --> Update Speed --> High.
Let
> >> >> >> >> this
> >> >> > run
> >> >> >> >> until you see the network congestion notification on your Xbox
> > then
> >> >> > check
> >> >> >> >> the Networking graph - are there any major drops in throughput
> >> >> >> >> (especially
> >> >> >> >> if they drop to 0) before you saw the network congestion
> >> > notification?
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> -- 
> >> >> >> >> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and
confers
> > no
> >> >> >> >> rights.
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "Kraig with a K" <kraig@kraig.kom> wrote in message
> >> >> >> >> news:%23xP%23mU6BFHA.2568@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> >> >> >> >>> Hello all,
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> My Xbox extender has started to give me network congestion
> > errors.
> >> >> >> >>> It
> >> >> >> >>> was
> >> >> >> >>> working flawlessly for a few months, but now I can't get rid
of
> >> > them.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I have a AMD 64, 1gb RAM, 200gb SATA drive.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I've changed all the network hardware - I'm using a Linksys
> > 10/100
> >> >> >> >>> switch
> >> >> >> >>> now.    I've replaced the network cable from the Xbox to the
> >> >> >> >>> Switch
> >> >> >> >>> which
> >> >> >> >> is
> >> >> >> >>> about 10 metres away.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I've defragmented my hard drive.  I've tried disabling the
> >> > antivirus
> >> >> >> >>> real
> >> >> >> >>> time protection (Kaspersky).  I've updated the network
drivers
> >> >> >> >>> (Chaintech
> >> >> >> >>> Motherboard on-board Realtek).  There are no additional
> > processes
> >> >> >> >>> running
> >> >> >> >>> and the Extender monitor has zero bars - only one when it's
> >> > attached
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >>> playing.  The computer is clean - I barely use it only to
> >> >> >> >>> record
> >> >> >> >>> TV
> >> >> > and
> >> >> >> >> burn
> >> >> >> >>> files, there has been no major or minor configuration change
in
> >> >> >> >>> months
> >> >> >> >>> on
> >> >> >> >>> it.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I installed Network Spy 2.0 to monitor the bandwidth and when
> > I'm
> >> >> >> >>> playing
> >> >> >> >>> recorded TV on the Xbox, it never, ever even goes beyond 20%
of
> >> >> >> >>> the
> >> >> >> >>> bandwidth available.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I'm frustrated now, I can't watch TV very well on the Xbox -
> > every
> >> > 5
> >> >> >> >> seconds
> >> >> >> >>> it'll get congested, then it'll become uncongested for 1
> >> >> >> >>> minute,
> >> > then
> >> >> >> >>> back
> >> >> >> >>> to 5-10 seconds of congestion.. the cycle continues.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> I've even tried reducing the recording quality of the shows
to
> >> > "low"
> >> >> >> >>> and
> >> >> >> >>> that doesn't solve the problem either.   This has only
started
> > to
> >> >> > happen
> >> >> >> >> in
> >> >> >> >>> the past 2 weeks...  the computer has all the available
updates
> > on
> >> >> >> >>> it.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> Xbox Live works perfectly - no network errors.  I've hooked
my
> >> > laptop
> >> >> > up
> >> >> >> >> to
> >> >> >> >>> the network cable as well and there doesn't appear to be any
> >> > cabling
> >> >> >> >>> issues - but then again, I swapped cables with a new one to..
> > but
> >> >> > still
> >> >> >> >> have
> >> >> >> >>> the same problem.
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> Anyone else have any ideas?
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> Thank you
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>> Kraig
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

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