Troubleshooting packet loss

[Amailer]

Hey,

So around 2-3 days ago I started getting connection drops and packet loss issues and so far I've got no clue as to what's causing it. I'm using Windows 7 (wired connection).

Here is what I've tried so far:
1. sent 200 pings from another computer on my home network, resulted in 0 loss of packets (pinging google.ca)
2. sent 200 pings from my computer (connected to the home router), resulted in 4-5 packets lost (pinging google.ca)
3. sent 200 from my computer directly to the cable modem resulted in the same amount of packet loss 4-5 (pinging google.ca)
4. logged into safe mode, sent another 200 pings and got I think around the same packet loss (not sure the exact number, but I got packet loss) (pinging google.ca)
5. sent 200+ pings to my router (so pinged my local gateway address) and I got 0% packet loss...............

So, what could be the problem? It can't be hardware related because pinging my local gateway works fine 0% loss. Can't be my overall connection it's self because other computers on the network seem to be doing fine with %0 loss. And in safe mode pretty much all 3rd party software was disabled (disabled firewalls and etc).

[DemonWasp]

A loss of 2% of packets (4/200) isn't unexpected. In fact, that's pretty darn good; I've seen my home network get as high as about 11% loss at high throughput.

Connection drops may be a very separate issue. Many home routers are a little under-engineered and seem to choke on difficult traffic. In particular, it seems that most LinkSys routers suffer from a flaw where they don't correctly clear cached connections from an internal table. If you make too many connections, you can knock your router offline. This happens frequently if you use bittorrent or other P2P software that will happily make hundreds of connections without pause.

If you can, reboot your router. Check whether your issue is resolved.

If not, describe the issue in more detail (specifically, what services are you using that are experiencing degraded service?).

[bluebeard]

2% packet loss is not good. Can't do voip, video or gaming with that. 200 pings happen pretty quick. It's not enough to eliminate the source but it does prove you have a problem. To start eliminating potential sources do either or both: 1. Ping from both computers at same time and send at least 1000 pings or 2. Use this packet loss to test your ISP and Internet connection. If you get different results on 1 above, post a reply with results and describing how each device connects back to modem.

[Dan]

I have to adgree with demonwasp, that level of packet losse in a ping is not that alarming for a home ISP. Especially if you are using dail up, DSL or wireless.

However i would gather more data and have a much larger sample size on both the computer you think their is a problem with and the one you think is working fine. Perfurably as close to the same time as possible.

Also i recomend you ping an IP rather then a hostname. Google.ca resolves to more then one IP, and for a good test you will want to use the same IP.

[Amailer]

Its VOIP (skype) that was getting affected (the most) due to the 2% packet loss. I would either get disconnected or due to the packet loss, skype would reduce the sound quality to some garbage. But definitely, the 2% packet loss was the cause of the problems.

Anyhow, last night the issue seems to have resolved its self, so I still do not know the cause. I had called up my ISP and they said there was nothing wrong (sent 1000+ packets to my modem unit and all went through), but soon after that call the packet loss stopped :/

As well, i was mistaken that "another computer on my network had 0% packet loss", I ran the tests again on the other computer and had gotten around the same amount of packet loss.