ping around 1000, connection problems. help!

[betes]

Well I finally picked up BF2 after successfully test playing the demo, but I can't get multiplayer mode to work. My ping is 1000 or thereabouts on every server. I have cable internet and I'm connected through a router. When I am going through the router, my ping is around 2500. I tried plugging my CAT5 straight into the cable modem and bypassing the router and it brings it down to about 1000, but obviously that's still way way too high. Also if I try to join a server with ping around 1000, it says I can't connect, or my connection was lost. Here are my system stats:

Athlon 1.7 GHz
512 MB RAM (another 512 on the way)
Radeon 9000 with 128 MB


I don't have a firewall or anything like that. I was thinking maybe I needed to open some ports but I don't know how. Any advice is appreciated.

I ran the test at www.bandwidthplace.com and got


Communications 2.2 megabits per second
Storage 270.4 kilobytes per second
1MB file download 3.8 seconds
Subjective rating Great

and I ran the test at www.testmy.net and got

Your connection is: 3585 Kbps (about 3.6 Mbps)
You downloaded at: 438 kB/s
Your TRuSPEED: ^info^ 3836 Kbps :: 469 kB/s (7% overhead factored)
Bottom Line: You are running: 64 times faster than 56K and can download 1 megabyte in 2.34 second(s)
Diagnosis: Awesome! 20% + : 37.67 % faster than the average for host (everestkc.net)

So it appears my internet is fine. My AIM and other internet functions are very fast, but I can't run BF2 on multiplayer mode. Singleplayer mode looks fine. I play it all the time with no problems. I don't know what the problem could be that is giving me such high ping and not allowing me to play multiplayer.

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
betes

[imported_Chubz]

Make sure that any anti-virus programs are disabled; double-check firewalls as well (Control Panel -> Security Center).

Next, try rebooting your cable/dsl modem.

If these fail, go into OPTIONS and at the bottom left, on the network selections (CABLE/DSL or T1) click the opposite of what it is already on.

If all else fells, your router could be to blame.... or maybe your ISP.

[Shakermaker]

Another possibility is updating punkbuster. Run PBWeb (read the instructions carefully and have a little patience coz it's a slow program).

[betes]

I forgot to mention I installed the patch version 1.02. I have cable checked in the options menu, and when I had T1 checked it didn't work either. I only have 1 antivirus program which I've disabled, and when I go to the Control Panel, Security Center isn't there. My friend told me to check that, and I don't have a Security Center. I've reset my modem and that didn't help, and like I said, it doesn't work whether I go through my router or just through my modem.


Also, I don't have Punkbuster to my knowledge. Do I need it?

[imported_Chubz]

I forgot to mention I installed the patch version 1.02. I have cable checked in the options menu, and when I had T1 checked it didn't work either. I only have 1 antivirus program which I've disabled, and when I go to the Control Panel, Security Center isn't there. My friend told me to check that, and I don't have a Security Center. I've reset my modem and that didn't help, and like I said, it doesn't work whether I go through my router or just through my modem.


Also, I don't have Punkbuster to my knowledge. Do I need it?

Yeah... that may be the reason!

Download this file:

http://www.evenbalance.com/downloads/pbweb.exe

Now, go to this directory:
C://ProgramFiles/EAGames/Battlefield 2/pb

If the PBWEB.EXE file isn't already in there, put the downloaded file in there, and double click it. Leave it running until it finishes manually updating. (Once it's finished, it will say "PRESS A KEY TO EXIT").

After finishing, load up the game and see if the problem is solved.

Good luck!

[NoSoup4You]

If that does not solve your problem I'm going to have to start pointing at your computer.

I believe the minimum is a 1.8Ghz P4 or higher (or equivelent), which would be an 1800+ or above for an AMD.

512 is also minimum. (hope you remember to match your current stick with your new one!)

Radeon 9000 is an outdated card. I'm really honestly surprised that it runs the game at all. I would recommend an upgrade here as well.

[betes]

If that does not solve your problem I'm going to have to start pointing at your computer.

I believe the minimum is a 1.8Ghz P4 or higher (or equivelent), which would be an 1800+ or above for an AMD.

512 is also minimum. (hope you remember to match your current stick with your new one!)

Radeon 9000 is an outdated card. I'm really honestly surprised that it runs the game at all. I would recommend an upgrade here as well.

I'm afraid you are right. The problem is, I just can't afford to throw money at my computer. By matching the sticks, you didn't mean brand-wise, did you? I don't even remember what brand my old stick is, and the new one is an Ultra.

If I could only upgrade one thing, what should I do? I am thinking a better video card is in order. The RAM will hopefully make up for my processor shortcomings.

Thanks for all the advice so far guys; keep it coming.