Is this a recent change to an otherwise good system?

Possible that you have some local issues with your connection (or the ISP's connection further upstream)
You've already read through the related issue so I'm assuming we can ignore problems with your router, port forwarding, uPNP etc.

Are the consoles wired or wireless to your router? Are the consoles modded in any way?

Packet loss means just that - the info travelling between your console and the game server is gone at that point in the trace so it could be the issue is with how Comcast are connecting you.

Might be worth tyring to get hold of your ISP's support to see if there are any issues they are aware of - if you give them the IP addresses or names where the loss happens they may already be able to tell you who's at fault.
Warning here though is that most ISPs are reluctant to reveal faults with their own connections - however if you talk to them more along the lines of "clearly the issue isn't at your end but ..." you may get more info ;)

Transient loss of a major internet pipe or backbone is like having a freeway blocked - all the isps start routing their data via the smaller side roads and so everything gets clogged - gamers tend to spot it happening first as their latency rises and players start getting booted for high pings. Other users may or may not spot it takes a fraction of a second longer for a page load etc.

I've tried connecting both ways, wirelessly and wired.  Like I said before, it used to work fine wirelessly. Then for the last couple months, it stopped working. I've already contacted Comcast, but they are no help. They "checked everything on there end" and they told me everything is fine.

I've been trying to fix this for the last week and I have no idea what to do anymore.

Someone PLEASE HELP!!

Do you have the UO trace?
Could you post the last half-dozen hops before the packet loss?

be-3-ar03.northdade.fl.pompano.co68.86.164.89      6      9ms         11ms       0%        4 / 4      9ms / 17ms
te-0-0-0-4-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.co68.86.91.81       7      12ms        11ms       0%        4 / 4      11ms / 12ms
xe-10-1-0.edge2.Miami1.Level3.net64.156.8.9        8      11ms        12ms       0%        4 / 4      10ms / 16ms
ae-32-52.ebr2.Miami1.Level3.net  4.69.138.126      9      21ms        15ms       0%        4 / 4      12ms / 21ms
ae-2.ebr2.Atlanta2.Level3.net    4.69.140.142      10     29ms        32ms       0%        4 / 4      29ms / 36ms
ae-73-70.ebr3.Atlanta2.Level3.net4.69.138.20       11     31ms        28ms       0%        4 / 4      27ms / 31ms
ae-2.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net 4.69.132.86       12     38ms        40ms       0%        4 / 4      38ms / 42ms
ae-71-71.csw2.Washington1.Level3.4.69.134.134      13     49ms        48ms       0%        4 / 4      47ms / 50ms
ae-23-79.car3.Washington1.Level3.4.68.17.69        14     40ms                   100%      0 / 4
ELECTRONIC.car3.Washington1.Level4.79.169.74       15     72ms                   100%      0 / 3
fert07-eqx-iad.ea.com            159.153.224.230   16     88ms        57ms       0%        3 / 3      41ms / 88ms
meav5-pub.pt.iad.ea.com          159.153.226.105   17     41ms        45ms       0%        3 / 3      40ms / 55ms


Btw, Thanks for taking the time to help me...

Here's a better one that I just did. It's only showing 1 of the hops with 100% packet loss...


be-3-ar03.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net                      68.86.164.89      6      10ms        11ms       0%        11 / 11    9ms / 16ms
te-0-0-0-4-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.comcast.net                      68.86.91.81       7      15ms        12ms       0%        11 / 11    10ms / 16ms
xe-10-1-0.edge2.Miami1.Level3.net                               64.156.8.9        8      10ms        13ms       0%        11 / 11    10ms / 29ms
ae-32-52.ebr2.Miami1.Level3.net                                 4.69.138.126      9      21ms        18ms       0%        11 / 11    11ms / 26ms
ae-2.ebr2.Atlanta2.Level3.net                                   4.69.140.142      10     37ms        35ms       0%        11 / 11    24ms / 39ms
ae-73-70.ebr3.Atlanta2.Level3.net                               4.69.138.20       11     51ms        34ms       0%        11 / 11    30ms / 51ms
ae-2.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net                                4.69.132.86       12     45ms        45ms       0%        11 / 11    41ms / 48ms
ae-71-71.csw2.Washington1.Level3.net                            4.69.134.134      13     45ms        42ms       0%        11 / 11    38ms / 48ms
ae-23-79.car3.Washington1.Level3.net                            4.68.17.69        14     42ms                   100%      0 / 10
ELECTRONIC.car3.Washington1.Level3.net                          4.79.169.74       15     39ms        41ms       0%        10 / 10    39ms / 45ms
fert07-eqx-iad.ea.com                                           159.153.224.230   16     40ms        48ms       0%        10 / 10    39ms / 110ms
meav5-pub.pt.iad.ea.com                                         159.153.226.105   17     39ms        43ms       0%        10 / 10    38ms / 74ms

Wow - put that server name into a Google search! Most of SC, TN & NC seems to be getting increased latency via that route at the moment - do you have any friends in the area on the same ISP you can compare notes with? I would still go back to your ISP with the issue, maybe they can route you through a different pipe. The evidence of a current problem is all over the Net!

When I spoke to Comcast about this, they didn't know what I was talking about. They told me when I was on the phone with them that they "pinged" my modem and I had no packet loss. Since EA was the one that had me do this UO trace, would that be a problem on EA's side or is it still my ISP? As far as my friends go, alot of people I know use Comcast as there ISP also and they've told me they dont have my problem. They do get kicked off sometimes but I expect that. It happens sometimes, not ALL the time though.

Comcast won't see the problem pinging you as the problem isn't between your modem and their server, they should try pinging EA at 159.153.226.105 which is the route you are trying to take.
Here's my own UO results for the same target - very similar to your own
It's that route you need to ask Comcast about

BTW this isn't Comcast's fault - the problem is with the listed servers, what Comcast should be able to do is either try to route you a different way or talk to the people looking after those machines on behalf of you as their customer.

UOTrace.jpg

I did what you said as far as calling Comcast and asking them to re-route my connection and they are giving me a hard time about this... Everytime I call them about this, they think I'm crazy... Is there a better approach to this where I can trick them into this??

Short of changing supplier no :(
Did they check the UO route we were looking at and see the loss?

I offered to show it to them but they dont care about that... They did there trace and pinged my modem and everything is fine. I asked them to reroute my connection, one tech said it was possible but then transfered me to Xbox customer support so when I called back screaming, they then told me I couldn't have them reroute me. So I dont know what else to do. I want to play though :-(

I don't think you are going to get much further :(
The good news is that hold ups like this tend to be transient and if there is a problem with the pipe at that address it will (eventually) get fixed.
 
Perhaps the best thing to do with the thread is close and delete it as it doesn't look like this is going to get solved soon.

I felt that way 2 months ago, that's why I didn't look into this that much... but after 3 months of nothing happening, I started calling everyone... I swear I'm the only one with this problem because no one seems to know what is exactly causing me to disconnect from other players or how to fix it.

Do you have your router set up to allow ping requests what model is the router?

I'm not sure if it's setup to allow ping requests, but it's a linksys wrt54g

Go into your routers settings click wireless then advanced wireless settings it should look like this.These are my settings for optimal performance

       
      Authentication Type: Auto (Default: Auto)    
      Basic Rate: 1-2 Mbps     Default
      Transmission Rate:  Auto (Default: Auto)        
      CTS Protection Mode: Disable (Default: Disable)    
      Frame Burst: Disable   Enable   (Default: Disable)    
      Beacon Interval:  50  (Default: 100,Milliseconds, Range: 1 - 65535)    
      DTIM Interval:  8  (Default: 1, Range: 1 - 255)    
      Fragmentation Threshold:2340 (Default:2346, Range: 256 - 2346)    
      RTS Threshold:   2340 (Default:2347, Range: 0 - 2347)    
      AP Isolation: Off (Default: Off)    
      Secure Easy Setup: Disable (Default: Enable)
You can also set up the router to run dmz for just the playstation if you want to do that let me know and I will give you steps to do it.

Just to note on the security tab on the router uncheck all  leave filter IDENT(port 113) checked.

Good thought about the ICM-Ping
You can also check if the port is visible by using an online scanner like ShieldsUp
If your router isn't responding to a server ping request you'll get high latency but this would only be an issue if a couple of months ago your router settings changed.
 
 

Just curious, but did you get a new router before you starting having the problem?  It's possible the router's DHCP is set for leases to expire. *shrug* just a thought.  If you keep getting about the same amount of play time every time this happens, that doesn't sound random.  Check the IP lease settings on your router.

I have the same setup I had when it used to work. I haven't changed anything, it just stopped working.

As far as the router setting you gave me, I've tried playing without the router, direct connect from the modem to the ps3 and still got kicked off. Should I still try your setting? I'm also already using the DMZ config.

If you are using dmz then you need to put the ip address of the ps3 on the dmz page of the router(to get this go onto the ps3 xmb then network settings choose settings and connection status list).Write down the ip address,then go into the router enter the ip address(on dmz page),then go back to the ps3 choose internet connection settings,choose custom then wireless,then enter manually enter your ssid(wireless name)choose wep, put in your wep key,then on next screen choose manual ,where it says ip address enter the one you wrote down then where it says subnet mask put in 255.255.255.0
Then on your computer depending on you os click start then run type in cmd then click ok if its vista click start then search type in cmd then double click when it comes up.Once the window opens type in ipconfig/all hit enter look for default gateway it should be the same as your routers ip,in anycase this is what you enter for the last 3 on the ps3 default router,primary dns,secondary dns,should all be the same as your gefault gateway.then go to next page MTU leave on automatic,next page proxy server do not use,next page upnp set to enable(make sure it enabled in router also),then on last page click x to save settings then test connection.
Once that is done go back to network settings on ps3 where it says MEDIA SERVER CONNECTION  disable it.Its a lag maker.
Once you have done all this enter all the settings in my previous post  23455367 make sure when you make changes on the router you click save settings.
What firmware version is the router it will say in top right corner?
What game keeps booting you?
One other thing after you have made these changes open you internet browser on the ps3 goto speakeasy.net click speedtest on bottom right corner of page then choose a server thats closest to you then post the results back here.

Have you seen any improvement in the last couple of days?
The packet loss on the Level3 servers (from here at least) has fallen dramatically since the start of the weekend
I got zero loss on over 100 traces compared to 100% a week ago

ge-3-17-ur01.pembroke.fl.pompano.comcast.net                    68.85.228.249     3      9ms         9ms        0%        11 / 11    8ms / 15ms
po-2-ur01.miramar.fl.pompano.comcast.net                        68.85.229.154     4      9ms         9ms        0%        11 / 11    8ms / 11ms
* Unknown Host *                                                68.86.164.121     5      12ms        9ms        0%        11 / 11    8ms / 13ms
be-3-ar03.northdade.fl.pompano.comcast.net                      68.86.164.89      6      10ms        19ms       0%        11 / 11    9ms / 110ms
te-0-0-0-4-cr01.miami.fl.ibone.comcast.net                      68.86.91.81       7      12ms        11ms       0%        11 / 11    9ms / 12ms
xe-10-1-0.edge2.Miami1.Level3.net                               64.156.8.9        8      18ms        16ms       0%        11 / 11    10ms / 61ms
ae-32-52.ebr2.Miami1.Level3.net                                 4.69.138.126      9      20ms        24ms       0%        11 / 11    11ms / 96ms
ae-2.ebr2.Atlanta2.Level3.net                                   4.69.140.142      10     28ms        30ms       0%        11 / 11    24ms / 48ms
ae-73-70.ebr3.Atlanta2.Level3.net                               4.69.138.20       11     30ms        28ms       0%        11 / 11    24ms / 31ms
ae-2.ebr1.Washington1.Level3.net                                4.69.132.86       12     52ms        45ms       0%        11 / 11    37ms / 52ms
ae-71-71.csw2.Washington1.Level3.net                            4.69.134.134      13     51ms        45ms       0%        11 / 11    38ms / 52ms
ae-23-79.car3.Washington1.Level3.net                            4.68.17.69        14     38ms                   100%      0 / 10
ELECTRONIC.car3.Washington1.Level3.net                          4.79.169.74       15     38ms        39ms       0%        10 / 10    38ms / 41ms
fert07-eqx-iad.ea.com                                           159.153.224.230   16     40ms        66ms       0%        10 / 10    39ms / 189ms
meav5-pub.pt.iad.ea.com                                         159.153.226.105   17     47ms        40ms       0%        10 / 10    38ms / 48ms


This is a new trace I just did, with the same results as last time. Now, I dont know if the one Level3 server where I have 100% packet loss has anything to do with my problem.

I get booted from Madden 2009 and NBA live 09. I usually get booted around the same time on each game.

I already did those configs your telling me, I'm not 100% sure if it's setup exactly like your telling me, but I will double check and try. But, since bypassed the router already, will the new changes matter? Without the router, I get booted, with it, same thing.

Your problem is very confusing... I have had Comcast for years and get great connectivity.  It does sound like the problem isn't with your configuration.  If you are having the same problem with Xbox Live and the Playstation network then your problem has to be your configuration or your connection to Comcast.  If you feel like your setup should be fine and is unchanged, then either your modem is going bad, or there is a problem on the Comcast end of things.  Example: someone may have damaged a line and it wasn't repaired properly *shrug* I don't know.

The problem seems squarely here: ae-23-79.car3.Washington1.Level3.net                            
Either EA need to fix it or Comcast need to avoid it - your current routing hits it everytime

Those settings I gave you should make your ps3 connection scream.
I know lots of people that play Madden online and they have the exact problem as you,part of the problem is the fact EA takes forever to maintain there servers.
You can try this not sure if it will do anything for you if they dont maintain the servers more.
http://support.ea.com/cgi-bin/ea.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_sid=y7XLrQoj&p_faqid=19293

You will not need to open ports since you are using DMZ.

I did did everything you told me to do as far as the DMZ config, Here are the results from that website you told me to go to from the ps3

download speed: 7465kbps
upload speed: 2857kbps

I just played a game of NBA Live 09 and sure enough, middle of second quarter, I got booted.

I dont know what happened and exactly when it happened but I never had this problem before until now. I haven't changed anything, Comcast has been to my house to "check" everything out and they told me everything was fine. I've called EA, they dont know. PS3 and Xbox dont know either. No one knows. WHAT DO I DO?? Sell everything and give up??

Those are good speeds in fact your uplaod is awesome.I can guarantee its not your connection the game Madden is very well known for booting people like I say they don't maintain there servers well.
I play socom confrontation almost every night and the people that play madden are going through the same thing as you.
I would call EA again and give them a earful be very angry tell them that its going on with alot of people and that they should look at there servers.I will do it too even though I dont play it,so I will call them tomorrow before I goto work.I,ll let you know what happens.
What channel is the router set to for wireless,you can try different channels then run that speedtest again to see wich channel gives the best speeds,but like I say its not you its EA.

This is not a new problem. I've had this problem for a couple months now. It doesn't only happen with Madden though, It happens with Live 09 also but i guess it's still EA. However, my cousin has NBA live 09 also, on xbox though and he's told me this doesn't happen to him... Like I said before, this happens EVERYTIME I play either game online. Madden usually boots me sometime during the first quarter. NBA live, usually middle of second quarter.

Do you have any other online game ie:Call of Duty or anything like that to test if your getting booted from them also?
If you do call EA tell them that your connection is fine that you had Comcast come to your place to check everything and its ok,so that put the pressure on them to fix the problem on there end BE FIRM WITH THEM.
Just so you know Xbox uses different servers than Playstation that why theres a difference.

I've played different games online like Mortal Kombat vs DC and Call of Duty 5. With Call of Duty, I didn't get booted but there was some interuption at times during the game... Mortal Kombat was fine. Both those games were on the xbox.

I've played NBA Live 09 on both the PS3 and Xbox and the same thing happens on both systems, I get booted.

EA was the one that told me to have Comcast come out and check everything out. They also had me do the UO trace which they have the results too. They claim it's not them, but I'll call them again about this. I just wish that there was something specific wrong so I can go to the right person and get them to fix this so I can move on... The fact that I dont know anything about online connections etc... when I start talking to them, they make me sound like I dont know what I'm talking about... but I will call them again about this.

Did you delete the game files on your ps3?They will be reinstalled so you won,t have to worry about your stats etc...,the server keeps record of that.Do a fresh install of each game.What did EA say when you called them again?I,m sure its not your connection, its ea thats at fault here.

I've reset the ps3 already and that didn't work. I haven't called EA yet, I was at work all day. I will call them today though.

But, I did rent NHL 2k9 which is NOT an EA game and I played one game online. I was able to play the entire game without being kicked off. The one thing I did notice though is that, when playing the game, right around the start of the 2nd period my connection did freeze but I think that since it's a different game, it handled the "problem" differently. It froze the game, and a message came on saying "Waiting on Opponent" with a 30sec timer couting down. After about 10-15secs tt found the connection again and I was able to play the rest of the game without a problem. I dont know if that little freeze has to do with me getting kicked off EA games. I dont know if that means anything to you guys. What do you think??

I just got off the phone with EA... After telling them about everything, they basically told me that they tried everything on there end and couldn't figure out the problem they are still blaming my ISP so I'm out of gas.

Well all I can say is that ITS NOT YOUR CONNECTION.Just to be sure lets ping your own ip open the command prompt again then type ipconfig/all write down where it says ip address ,then in the command prompt window type ping -t 192.xxx.x.xxx  (make sure theres a space between ping and -t and the ip address)
post the results back here.

I did it and it keeps repeating "Reply from 192.xxx.x.xxx: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128"

I dont know what that means

The freeze I have when playing NHL 2k9 isn't a the start of the game, it's during the game (about the same time I get booted from EA games)

As far as Call of Duty, I rented that game so I dont have it at the moment to run that test. But when I did play, I didn't get booted from that either... It froze for a sec like it was refreshing the the map and then the game kept going. Never back into the lobby. Very Similar to NHL 2k9.

As far as me hosting the game, it doesn't matter. No matter what I get booted.

Also, you say EA servers can't handle a number of people. When I called EA and told them that, they told me that when playing against other people we dont use the EA servers. You meet the player on the EA servers (lobby) then when you connect to play with other player, you leave the servers and connect through P2P. It's either my connection or the other players connection. That's the explanation they gave me when I said it was there servers.  But let's keep in mind that, I ALWAYS get booted from Madden and Live. If it's not my connection, is it everyone else's connection?? I highly doubt that

Ok what type of modem do you have Model # etc...Do you have any splitters?I will call EA tomorrow because I have to goto work soon.

My modem is from Comcast...

It's a:
WebStar
DCP 2100 series
S/N 201051657
 
It didn't have a model number, I figured the "S/N" was serial number which is the same thing
BTW, Thank you so much for you help... I really appreciate it. If you can help me fix this, I'll owe you my life... lol

You did'nt mention if you have a splitter or not?If you do can you try hooking the cable wire direct to the modem and try the game again.I,m at work lol.

I have cable modem, which has a splitter. Comcast came and checked everything including the splitter which he changed. The setup goes like this. Cable from the wall to splitter which is split between the TV and the modem... modem to router etc... Comcast guy said that's how it's suppose to go and everything was fine... if you have a better suggestion, I'm willing to try...

I just tried another direct connect attempt without the splitter... Wall to modem to PS3 and when I setup the connection on the PS3 and tested it, everything was fine, but....

Upnp: Not Available
NAT type: Type 1

That was directly from my modem.... I know that uPnP has to be available and the NAT type has to be set at NAT type 2.... I dont know how to change my modem's specs... I google'd, but wasn't successful

Not sure if any of this makes a difference...

Ok, for the first time in a long time, I was just able to play an entire game of madden and got my ss whooped... but it was great to actually finish the game... I dont know what I did or EA or Comcast but I just played an entire game of Madden and I'm loving it.... I'm going to try another game, then NBA Live to see what happens.... WOW, I'm so happy at the moment... Let's see if this continues...........

I just played an entire game of NBA live also... Could everything be back to normal???  Wow, I'm so happy at the moment... I can't believe things are working..... lol.... I love this, I dont even mind get my ass whooped online....

You played  a entire game while connected direct to the modem NO SPLITTER?That means that your splitter was probably no more good.If you can goto your local comcast and ask for a splitter they should give it to you for free because your there customer.The ones at Best buy and stuff are garbage.
As far as the nat type and the upnp,did you power cycle the modem?
After you get the new splitter connect back to your router and try again.
Post back.
Does your modem have a ip address to allow you to change settings in it?

I,m happy you got to finally play though.

Oh forgot to mention when you do get the new splitter you will notice numbers on it if its a good one you will see 3.5db and 7db you want to connect the modem to 3.5db unless Comcast tells you otherwise.

Ok, everything seems to be to normal for now. I haven't been getting booted like before. I think joinaunion was right when you said it was EA's fault and not my connection. I wasn't able to play games until I was about to try another game again when I realized I wasn't able to connect to the EA servers due to maintenance. Once the maintenance was done, everything was fine again...

It bothers me to know that this was EA's fault all along and they had no problem blaming everyone else. If people actually realized how much time I spent on hold with EA they might understand where I was coming from.

Anyway, thank you again for all your help guys. I really appreciate it.

Awesome.Now you just need to award points to whoever helped you out.

I,m confused did nothing we suggest help your problem?

well done joinaunion

Sorry