Audio very choppy with Vista

[kgash]

I have been using MJ for almost a year with Windows XP Pro and had little, if any problem. I got a new machine with Vista Ultimate and have had severe audio choppiness ever since. I had a lengthy chat (escalated to a supervisor) yesterday and we tried everything, including using MJ's DNS servers. The final suggestion was that my network router was not able to handle the extra demands placed on it. According to MS kb/932134, "An outdated or less robust network router may be unable to handle the increased UPnP traffic that is generated by Windows Vista. Therefore, network packets may be dropped.". This may be the cause of my problem.
Has anyone else had similar problems and also what would be a good router to get to replace my Microsoft MN-700 router?
Thanks for any assistance.
Ken Gash

[murphy]

Dir you install the Vista version of the software?

[kgash]

Dir you install the Vista version of the software?

No, the machine came with Vista installed.

[kgash]

Dir you install the Vista version of the software?

No, the machine came with Vista installed.

Sorry, I misunderstood your question.
Yes, I did all of the upgrades that MJ has, including the Vista one

[az2008]

According to MS kb/932134, "An outdated or less robust network router may be unable to handle the increased UPnP traffic that is generated by Windows Vista. Therefore, network packets may be dropped.". This may be the cause of my problem.

You can run Wireshark on both your XP and Vista machines and compare the volume of network traffic. (You might be able to deduce the same thing by watching the packet count which is visible when you open the network connection in XP. Not sure what the Vista equivalent is.).

Personally, I would guess that Vista is hogging CPU resources. I would give magicJack.exe high priority as described on the wiki FAQ for resolving choppy voice.

You're not connecting wirelessly to your router are you?

Mark

[oldtimercurt]

I had a similar problem with my new Dell XPS430. Upgraded audio and TV drivers and the problem went away.

OTC

[kgash]

I have found the source of the problem by doing what I obviously should have done at first. I disconnected the router and connected my computer directly to the cable modem. All evidence of choppy audio on either handset that I have connected disappeared!

What I would really like now is recommendations from MJ users who are both using Vista and are connected through a router. What router works, providing clear, steady audio?
Thanks for everyone's help and I hope I get some good recommendations.

Ken Gash

[az2008]

What I would really like now is recommendations from MJ users who are both using Vista and are connected through a router. What router works, providing clear, steady audio?

I really don't understand how a router would work well with XP but not Vista. I'd dump Vista before the router (considering how Win 7 is coming).

If you're looking for a good router setup, I'd recommend Linksys WRT54GL and burn the open source Tomato software on it. (I haven't used Vista with this combination, but it will give you tons of control over your traffic via QoS shaping parameters.).

If you want to use a newer router with Wireless N, get one that can be burned with DD-WRT. It supports more (and newer) routers. Gives you QoS controls. But, IMO, not as robust and easy-to-use QoS.

Mark

[kgash]

I really don't understand how a router would work well with XP but not Vista.
Mark

I'm not sure I understand either, but you might want to read MS kb/932134. Apparently, my router fits Microsoft's definition of an"outdated" router, even though it is a Microsoft MN-700 router. They only sold them for a short period then stopped.