[SOLVED] Help: problem with network adapter (causing blu ray stuttering)

[bovinda]

I have problems playing blu ray rips over my network on my new HTPC. I thought I had it fixed, but it keeps coming back. I think it's the driver to the network adapter on the HTPC; uninstalling it, restarting, and letting Windows 7 reinstall it once or twice seems to fix the problem for a day or two. Then it starts up again, sometimes in the middle of a movie, sometimes not. I can't seem to find anything else that triggers or causes it.

I posted here because I have no idea what's causing it and how to go about fixing it. Perpetually uninstalling and reinstalling the driver is not a great solution, especially if seeking a high WAF. If you have any ideas how to address this, please let me know!

Hardware:
HTPC (brand new build and install):
Intel i3 550
Gigabyte H55M-UD2H
Palit GeForce GTS 450
Adata SSD 60 GB
4 GB G.Skill RAM
Corsair HX 520 PSU
Windows 7 Pro, Total Media Theater 5, Virtual CloneDrive

Server:
Q6600
Gigabyte EP43T-USB3
NVidia GT 8800
4 GB G.Skill RAM
Corsair HX 620 PSU
Windows 7 Pro

The computers are wired together (no wireless connections) via a NetGear 3700 router.

 

[Fardringle]

Try a different network adapter in the computer to see if you get the same problem with a new NIC.

 

[bovinda]

Any steps to try before that? The network adapter is built into the mobo, and I don't have any other network adapters or mobos lying around. I was hoping that there might be a service or something jamming up the driver or some other possible fix before getting to that step. I just don't know how to work it up...

 

[bovinda]

Anybody?

 

[Jimmah]

Every time I've had a NIC or something act up like this, the part ends up dying a few months after.

Honestly, if you've got a spare toss that in, else it might be time to buy a new card. NE has some pretty good deals on gig-e cards from time to time.

 

[mosco]

What happens when you play the content locally.

 

[bovinda]

When I play it locally it plays fine, without any problems at all. Exact same ISO, just copied to the HD.

Unfortunately I don't have a spare NIC or mobo. Worse comes to worst, I'll have to invest in a cheap Intel NIC or something. But if there's anyway to fix this (can't there be a way?) that would definitely be the best!

 

[vailr]

TP-Link TG-3468 PCI-Express Gigabit Network Card
http://www.microbarn.com/details.aspx?rid=102333

Also try: Driver Max
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/
http://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/

 

[bovinda]

Wow, that is a cheap NIC. I'll consider giving it a try if I can't get this resolved. Haven't had a chance to work on it the last week because of my job. I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

 

[bovinda]

So I finally got it fixed - turns out it was Microsoft's network throttling mechanism, as detailed at this MS support link. Deactivating this, or setting the value to 50, completely fixed my problem. I guess for whatever reason when streaming the ISO to virtual clonedrive or what not it wasn't recognized as media playback, and so it was getting throttled. What a pain in the ass. Anyway, hopefully this will help someone else.

 

[Fallen Kell]

hmmm.... good to know. Sometimes I really hate what MS does.