it's because of Windows default Wireless Zero Config service.

Once in a while, it checks for wireless connectivity and causes lag spikes.

It was terribile on Win XP, so so on Vista, and a lot better in Windows 7

Utilities like THIS > http://www.martin-majowski.de/wlanoptimizer/ can help u in fixing the problem.


Give it a try. :)

I have Wireless Zero disabled because I'm using Intel connection utility. I guess that software is doing the same thing though.

Maybe I should uninstall the Intel software and use Windows wireless software, and use the optimizer.

Intel software has an option to disable it somewhere.

Do you mean this setting?

This didn't help.

[edit] Actually I guess you meant "Disable WIFI scanning when associated". I have this on already.

It's something else then because this setting fixed similiar problem for me. (also scanning didn't last for 5 seconds but more like 2). Lagometer looks like when I have my cell phone lying next to my laptop and I get a call.

ok, thanks.

OK so...
- I enabled wifi scanning, disabled internet then enabled again - still same (not surprised).
- Disabled wifi scanning (how it was before), disabled and enabled internet - seems to be working!

I'm not getting my hopes up yet though, could still be someone's phone or something.

Unfortunately it doesn't properly support XP, which I'm probably stupid to be using anyway.

I have this EXACT problem.

Probably some dude next door using his microwave. Have you tried turning off all mobile phones in the vicinity?

hmm I'll try. I live in a flat though so neighbours phones could be close.

Does choice of band effect this? I set router to band 9 because loads of people around here using 11 and 1-6.

I would do a little test with 3 command prompts pinging 3 different IPs in the background during gameplay.
One of the prompts would ping the router, the other one would ping the first hop (probably your ISP) and the last one would ping the provider of the game server (e.g.: i3d.de). (Pinging them only once in every seconds is more than enough.)
After the lag occurred, you can compare the results with the data you get when everything is "ok".

-If it's you and it's also happening between your PC and your router, it could be your network setting's of your OS but also an interference from just about anything.
-If it's only happening after your router, it can be your modem or your ISP.
-And finally , if it's only happening after your ISP then at least you will know that there is nothing you can do:p

how about buying an ethernet cable

Problem solved.
Just some bug in Intel software - see #13.