Server Connection Problem Appears Randomly

[clicknext]

I'm running a CS server that has Athlon1.4ghz and 256Mb ram.

While I'm playing with any number of players, doesn't matter if it's 1 or 10, all the players connected via internet will lag out for a fairly long time, about 20 seconds, but it's different every time. Sometimes it will be maybe 10, but sometimes 30 or 40. They say they either have flushentitypacket displayed on screen or connection problem. I'm connected to the server via LAN and it doesn't affect me. On my screen everyone's ping goes to 0. This happens very randomly. Sometimes it will happen many times a night, sometimes 1 time or not at all. At all times the hlds program is running at high priority in Win2000, and nothing else is running on the computer.

What could be causing this strange problem?

 

[WannaFly]

on my hlds server, the cpu usage NEVER goes above 10%.
Setup a counter log to see if your processor usage is peaking out for some reason. I just posted howto do that in a thread Here.
You could also setup one for your network usage.
What type of NIC? I've seen NICs uninstall and reinstall automatically at random points.
Is your internet connection stable? maybe the internet is dropping out for a few seconds?

 

[clicknext]

I'm quiet sure it's not an issue with the computer or server program itself because the problem doesn't exist when playing on the server via lan. It's something with the internet connection. The NIC and internet connection both work fine without any lag or connection problems while I'm playing CS as a client, so it shouldn't be a problem with them, right?

 

[WannaFly]

So, your saying that when the CS clients experiance this "lag", you can still browse the internet fine? If so its not an internet problem.

http://server.counter-strike.net has good forums for hlds support

 

[clicknext]

I'm not sure about being able to surf the net fine while this happens, but I never notice any times when my internet surfing doesn't work.

What I was saying was that I have 2 computers, one is the server and one is the one I play from, and they're on the same network so I can play via LAN on the server while others are playing via internet on the same server. I don't get the problem, but the internet people do. That's why I think it's an internet problem.

 

[clicknext]

I have a feeling that it could be caused by my router. I used to host games just fine with up to 12 people on the same connection same computer, but that was back when I didn't have a router. I then quit playing CS for about a half year, and somewhere during that half year I got a router.

Do you think a router could be the cause of this?