Help with regular online game lag every couple of minutes for 4-6 seconds?

Question

I regularly play online steam games such as TF2 and HL2DM, but recently I've had a problem with lag. The lag isn't normal slow-internet lag, either.

Every minute or so (variable, sometimes I can play for 5 minutes or only 10 seconds) the game lags for 6-8 seconds. My character freezes movement, just like normal lag, then ends up wherever he was going when the lag started 6 seconds later. I searched on the valve support pages, and perceivably found my fix, but it turns out that did not work.

I have tried limiting my startup services to those I need to run my computer, but the lag is still there. I re-installed steam. I also scanned for viruses.

The lag spreads across all my online steam-based games, Though i don't play any non-source engine games online, so that might have something to do with it.
My specs:
Dell DIMESION DIM4700
intel pentium 4 CPU 3.00 GHz
2.50 GB RAM
RADEON x300/x500 series (I'm expecting a 8800gt in a week)

Answer 1

If you play threough a wireless connection, try to disable whatever program configures the wireless connection after it is done configuring. The Windows service Wireless Zero Config will cause a problem similar to what you are describing, but do it literally every minute on the minute.

Answer 2

It sounds to me that the router is dropping your IP handle and refreshes that's addresses each and every six minutes, this could be a time-physique which you would be able to configure on the router, and it takes around 30 seconds to barter a clean handle with your workstation, that's clever. you will would desire to verify why the router drops the IP each and every six minutes. attempt gaining access to the router's config. pass to start, All courses, upload-ons, Command on the spot. type ipconfig and enter the style which you notice on the Default Gateway on your information superhighway explorer. with any luck you may get into the routers config under DHCP server strategies, examine the IP hire time. exchange it to the optimal available selection. digital mail if greater help mandatory.

Answer 3

don't worry its not your system or your net. i play CS: source all the time. a lot of people get on thier with thier slow *** internet and lag the hell out of the servers. it is just the server lag. change to a diff server or just avoid people with pings over 100. i ran T1 and pinged around 30-50 all the time. i have a $4000 alienware. with the **** in it. i still lagged cuz of dumbasses with slow dsl and dial up. they cause the server to lag and in turn cause you to lag. it sux i know.