Microphone Cutting Out & Huge Ping Spikes

[Jyces]

just for testing, is it possible to hook the pc directly to the modem (if it's separate from the router)

Both computers are actually hooked directed into the modem (wired connection).

or to configure the router to put your pc into the DMZ section in order to bypass any router protocols?

Yes, I could set my modem to DMZ mode via modem configuration (192.168.21). I'll try this out and update you.

Edit: My modem only allows me to set DMZ mode for one of my computers at a time. Should I just try it on both?

[Prog-Rocker]

no, just try it with one of them. i'm beginning to think that Bell might be using packet-shaping to manage their net and the vent packets are getting tagged for low-priority.

have you ever used any torrent type programs?

[Jyces]

no, just try it with one of them. i'm beginning to think that Bell might be using packet-shaping to manage their net and the vent packets are getting tagged for low-priority

After setting it to DMZ mode, problem still alive. The strange thing about this situation is that I've been with Bell for 5+ years and have been using Vent for just as long, and this has never happened in the past. Seems so odd that all of a sudden this problem would occur.

have you ever used any torrent type programs?

Yes. I've tried bittorrent, utorrent and many others. I stopped using them, as the download speed was ridiculously slow.

[Jyces]

Recently called Bell, and they're continuously denying that it is their problem and they claim it is the program. Apparently they ran several tests, and everything comes up clear. They see no problems on their end. They did not want to send a technician out, as they thought it would be a waste of time.

[Prog-Rocker]

let's do a basic test of the mic.

make a long recording using windows recorder then listen to the quality when you play it back

[FONT=Verdana]Windows Vista/Windows 7[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Programs / Accessories / Sound Recorder / create a recording then save it[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana]Windows Media Player (WMP) / playback recording[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana] [/FONT]
does the vent ping spike if it's the only program running?

would it be possible to take you pc to a friends house and hook to their internet and test? this might help eliminate the router as a problem.

[Jyces]

make a long recording using windows recorder then listen to the quality when you play it back

Quality of the mic is normal (sounds good).

does the vent ping spike if it's the only program running?

Yes.

would it be possible to take you pc to a friends house and hook to their internet and test? this might help eliminate the router as a problem.

Did this today, and Ventrilo worked perfectly with their connection (they used Cogeco).

I called Bell for the third time (after testing it on my friends connection), and they could no longer deny the obvious. They looked into the situation and believe that the modem is broken. They said that due to a recent lightning/thunderstorm we had in the area (which resulted in many power outages), that this could be the main cause of the problem. They're sending me a new modem within 48 hours, so I guess we shall see! I'll keep you updated.

[Prog-Rocker]

excellent news. glad to hear Bell is helping out.

[Jyces]

Originally Posted by Prog-Rocker

excellent news. glad to hear Bell is helping out.

Got my new modem, and the problem is still here. I immediately called Bell, and they are stumped. They decided they were going to add more upload to my account (it is currently at 700) because they think this could be the problem. I'll let you know if the upload solution helped. :/

Edit: Although I am 101% doubting it has anything to do with my upload limit. Only 2 out of the 3 computers in my house are active, and there aren't many programs running on either of them to cause the upload limit to be reached.

[Jyces]

Called again and they admitted that Ventrilo was most likely being flagged as a file sharing program and it is being throttled (just as BitTorrent and Utorrent). When I asked for a solution, they said they have no information on a solution to stop the throttling on this program and that it is not possible for them to fix this. Do you happen to know a solution to stop the Ventrilo throttling? If there is not a solution, I guess my last resort is switching ISP.

[Prog-Rocker]

unfortunately vent has no control over throttling as that is all done at the ISP level on their own backbone. Their IT engineers should be capable of correcting this problem.