Loosing connection when launching torrent client or Steam

[Rickzkm]

Hi All,
I have small problem with my computer. Recently, when i launch certain applications like torrent client or even Steam, my computer looses connection. It is not problem on router because my laptop is still working and fine, when this problem occurs.
So i thought it might be the wireless card i have installed, so I bought another one, different type but this problem persists.
Does anyone know anything about this problem? I would really appreciate your help.
I am running Vista.

[muffin247]

what isp you on? funnily enough i am also on vista and torrent clients ''freeze'' a while then connects, sounds similar

[xAmritx]

Hi,
You got a software firewall?

[freezspirit]

I was going to say it could be your isp reducing your bandwidth or disconnecting you when you use certain applications but you said you have no problems with the laptop, check if you have any problems running the applications from your laptop or is that what you also meant.

I have in the past been disconnected by the isp if I have left pc online for very long periods with applications running or using applications during peak times. It won't be in your case but recently my modem has been overheating/on its way out and that also disconnects - so was thinking wireless card overheating but thats ruled out since you have tried a different card and still have same problem.

Oh something came to my mind, when I helped a friend setup his pc to the home setup. It worked first time for about 5 mins and kept disconnecting. I discovered it was the signal strength of the wireless usb being weak that was causing the problem, we put an extension cable and tried different points in the room to get a better signal. Anything below 2 bars was disconnecting, hit and miss on 3 bars works a treat on 4 couldn't get max.

Another point check that you have the latest vista driver for the devices will help. And like the xAmritx said check your firewall settings for the applications.

[Madafwo]

My internet also dies when using uTorrent, and only uTorrent. I can download gigs and gigs from other places but whenever I fire up uTorrent the internet on that one PC dies. It's not a hardware fault so must be software.

What ISP's and Firewalls you guys using?

[Lee H]

Too many TCP/IP connections is the main cause that causes most of these symptoms

Try adjusting the figure to a lower number and your connection should not fall over as much.

Also, certain routers are a bit more prone to falling over when using applications which open lots of TCP/IP connections. Try another router etc and sometimes this can fix the issue like the time I moved from the ISP supplied modem to the Asus ADSL2+ router.

[Triplea4UK]

Make sure you use port forwarding not just upnp.

The advise above is spot on normally router can only handle around 250 connections max and if you try running a torrent client with an anti virus which scans internet and pc files this can also cause the problems. I myself when I used to use torrents or emule had to disable nod32 to stop this happening.

Vista has very stupid security and limiting tcp is one of them look around net there is a patch which will open more.

[Rickzkm]

Thank you guys, thats a lot of information to digest. I have reinstalled back to XP which solved the problem.