OT: what are hops?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by cookderosa, Jul 9, 2008.

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  1. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    We are having trouble watching streaming video lately from any site (netflix, fox, hulu, etc) , and when I contacted hulu for tech support, they did a trace thing and determined that we are somehow at 30 hops and they like to keep it under 10.
    Ok- please someone explain what the heck this means. Hulu told me to contact my ISP, but before I call Mediacom (aka The Faultless) I want to know what my problem is.
    THANKS computer folks!
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    The hops are the number of routers the signal passes through to get from point A to point B. You could go to Start | Run and type CMD hit Enter. In the DOS box type Tracert www.yahoo.com and you will see the routers the signals goes through to go from your computer to yahoo's server. The signal is considered lost after 30 hops if memory serves me correct.
     
  3. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    Randell,
    Wow thanks. I just did it, and it is showing 15. Is this a number that changes at various times in the day? Also, what can I do to reduce the number of hops- or is it something my ISP can/should do? Sorry I 'm kinda clueless, but I REALLY appreciate your help. This constant buffering is really getting in the way of enjoying Hells Kitchen : )
     
  4. OnMyWay

    OnMyWay Grand Duchess


    Ahhh, I really wanted Petrozza to win, Christina was so annoying.
     
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator


    I am a little rusty with IT stuff but the number of hops are usually determined by the routers sending out messages to calculate the shortest path. I would contact you ISP and see if they could help. At least you now know a little about what to ask.
     
  6. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    They won't help you. I've even worked ISP tech support myself in the past.

    "Can you load any web page and see it on your screen?"
    "Yes"
    "Then your internet works. Good bye."

    Is basically how it's done. My personal recommendation, start the streaming movie and press pause. let it buffer for a few minutes, then start watching.
     
  7. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    Oh, so you worked for Mediacom :)
    It's getting bad- like every 18 - 20 seconds I hit a 10 second buffer. Would buying a new router do anything? Is there anything I can buy?? We moved at Christmas and live in an area only serviced wirelessly (is that a word?) by Mediacom. The local HicBell is wired only, it might even be dial up LOL.
    I did get to watch Hells Kitchen - OnMyWay almost spoiled it - but I just plugged in. I can't do that always though, because we have 3 lap tops going on and only one of the blue plug things.
    It's very frustrating, but I will do whatever it takes to fix this.
    (I am going to try the pause thing and see what happens)
     
  8. OnMyWay

    OnMyWay Grand Duchess

    Oh goodness I'm sorry... I had assumed you finally got through it. I hate when someone spoils something that I wanted to see myself.
     
  9. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    LOL No, I got through it, you didn't spoil it!! :)
     
  10. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    Oh, I was really hoping this was going to be a thread about beer hops :p

    [​IMG]
     
  11. BrandeX

    BrandeX New Member

    Haha, nope. It was through SBC/Yahoo.
     
  12. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    You could try changing your DNS servers.... while usually your ISP's are the best, it isn't always the case.
     
  13. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    UPDATE:


    We plugged directy into our modem and life was good. Perfect in fact. So, I am going to conclude that the problem is my router, not my wireless/internet. I went out an bought a new router! This is a "G+mimo" while our old one was a "G." I really think this might help...signing off to go find out!
     

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