NIC disconnects after starting NS2

TrackerBar

Basically as soon as I start NS2 my (wired) network connection drops, even before opening the server browser. My router is still up and I can use the net via other devices.
As my NIC cycles I might get a dozen servers pinged before it goes down again. This will repeat until I close NS2 and then my connection remains on/stable.

It has only started happening in the last week (patch related?).

No mods are installed.

Deleted the folder /Steam/userdata/<steamid>/4920

Game files verified 100%

Reduced the number of servers/minute in steam to 250

A similar (stickied) post mentions issues with Sky routers requiring a firmware rollback but that is quite old now, although seems relevant as I am a Sky customer.

Router details
Manufacturer: Sky
Model SR102
Firmware Version 2.53.0488.R
DSL Firmware VersionA2pv6F039f1.d24m

tech_support.zip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4LJ9NTOIjQkdjJqc0hSQ25iVTQ/edit?usp=sharing

net_log 3 log.txt contents:

Date: 08/09/14
Time: 20:25:40:

---

Build 267
Windows 7 64-bit (build 7601)
Steam initialized
Num displays: 1
Direct3D 9 initialized: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 (9.18.13.3788)
Sound Device: Speakers (3- USB PnP Sound Device) stereo
Record Device: Microphone (3- USB PnP Sound Device)
Loading config://ConsoleBindings.json
Loading config://FavoriteServers.json
Loading config://HistoryServers.json
Main Menu Initialized at Version: 267
Steam Id: 10312454
Net log level 3
Saving config://HistoryServers.json
Connecting to server 188.165.48.43:27015
[ 26.497] 188.165.48.43: System packet sent (PacketType_Connect)
[ 26.929] 188.165.48.43 Client: Sending reliable 0, ping 100.00ms
[ 27.137] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 207 (207) ms ago, total resends 0)
[ 27.470] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 333 (541) ms ago, total resends 1)
[ 27.870] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 400 (941) ms ago, total resends 2)
[ 28.404] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 533 (1474) ms ago, total resends 3)
[ 29.037] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 633 (2107) ms ago, total resends 4)
[ 29.782] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 745 (2853) ms ago, total resends 5)
[ 30.603] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 820 (3673) ms ago, total resends 6)
[ 31.541] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 937 (4611) ms ago, total resends 7)
Timeout
Loading config://ConsoleBindings.json
Loading config://FavoriteServers.json
Loading config://HistoryServers.json
Main Menu Initialized at Version: 267
Steam Id: 10312454
Reconnecting to 188.165.48.43:27015
Connecting to server 188.165.48.43:27015
[ 42.471] 188.165.48.43: System packet sent (PacketType_Connect)
[ 42.887] 188.165.48.43 Client: Sending reliable 0, ping 100.00ms
[ 43.092] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 204 (204) ms ago, total resends 0)
[ 43.425] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 333 (537) ms ago, total resends 1)
[ 43.825] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 400 (937) ms ago, total resends 2)
[ 44.331] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 506 (1443) ms ago, total resends 3)
[ 44.944] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 612 (2056) ms ago, total resends 4)
[ 45.677] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 733 (2789) ms ago, total resends 5)
[ 46.477] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 800 (3589) ms ago, total resends 6)
[ 47.377] 188.165.48.43 Client: Resending reliable 0 (send 900 (4489) ms ago, total resends 7)
Timeout
Loading config://ConsoleBindings.json
Loading config://FavoriteServers.json
Loading config://HistoryServers.json
Main Menu Initialized at Version: 267
Steam Id: 10312454
Error: Attempted to load remote options from a file that does not exist.
CinematicsUpdate: exit
ClientGame::UpdateWorld: exit
CollectGarbage: exit

Hope someone can help, I'm really stuck for what to do next.

DC_Darkling

steam and ns2 both report connection loss on your logs.
If your router is that old, replace it?

I know, for example that the old speedtouch 500 modem series (for dsl) were incompatible with vista, producing odd bugs. So who knows what weird bugs emerge?
You can also try changing QoS in your router, I saw some errors relating to that. Old routers, especially home ones, tend to suck on QoS

IronHorse

So have you tried rolling back your router drivers?
It takes a whole 1 or 2 minutes to try it at least

TrackerBar

I don't think there has actually been a (recent) firmware update on my router, that post if from 2012.

My router is the "new" sky SR102 for their fibre service. That said, there doesn't seem to be a problem with the router as it stays connected but my NIC disconnects from the router. I've tried searching for updated drivers to the NIC.

I may have fixed the problem now though. Embarrassingly enough slightly damaged Cat5e cable may have been responsible!

DC_Darkling

You would be surprised how... odd a damaged cable can react and at other times be fine.
Although updated drivers never hurt.

TrackerBar

Yeah, I'm a bit puzzled as it really didn't look *that* bad, I just didn't know what else to try!

Now that that's solved NS2 is giving me a nice memory dump in every game, so.... oh well. )

IronHorse

Please see the other threads in here regarding crashes from this build - we need you to run techsupport.exe (found in your ns2 folder) with the ns2 window still open, to get dump files

TrackerBar

It seems to be a well known issue with the hints & tips causing crashes, I'm back up and running again! I can re-enable them and provide a log if you need it.

IronHorse

Oh man interesting to know the bug was having that level of impact.. Thanks for the info. FYI this is already fixed for next patch