Very frustrating AIM problem

[pianoman]

hey all. i was wondering if anyone had any information on how to fix this problem that has plagued my AIM for months now...

I get signed on and off constantly, usually 8-9 times per hour. i miss im's all the time, and most of my im's are never actually sent. i'll be having a good conversation with one of my friends and then all of a sudden she will stop sending im's, even though it says she is still typing at the bottom of the im window (this usually lasts for a good 5 minutes). Finally, my buddy list magically refreshes and i am signed back on again, having missed all of the im's my friend sent (they dont know ive signed off because my screenname remains on their buddylist, so they assume im still signed on and active). Almost every time i go to look at an away message or profile i get the dreaded "Please wait...", and then after a few minutes, i get an error message.

What really baffles me about this problem is that i have no problems with my internet connection otherwise. I am still able to surf the internet, download, and upload flawlessly without being lagged. even when im lagging on aim, and i visit a web site at the same time, it loads instantly and there is no lag. my system is clean and virus free (im pretty sure) and there are no other large programs running that could lag my computer. my system is running on windows xp and i have a cable connection and am connected through a router that also connects two other computers. these other computers also have the same exact problem, as i can see my brothers' screenames being signed on and off constantly, and my brother complains about this problem all the time. ive had this particular modem-router arrangement for a year now and have never had any problems up until about mid-september.

Im thinking that this might be a physical problem, like someting wrong with the modem, router, or wires. if it is, then obviously ill need to get new ones. but i am wondering if anyone else thinks this is a problem with aim or something because id like to be able to fix this without buying any new hardware.

thanks a lot, hope to hear some possible solutions- take care.

[DMC]

I am a big fan of AIM. But of course, it has problems. Although I have never used Trillian that much, didn't like it. If you are having problems with AIM then I suggest it.
http://www.trillian.cc/

[Sembei]

I have a problem to....
Everytime I press sign-on and the window says "connecting" it just stays like that for about 5 minutes or so. And goes back to the sign-on window again and in red letters it says "timed out" or something....does anyone have any ideas?

[Jazz]

Sembei, try one of the following, specialist IM forums: -

BigBlueBall Forums

or

WackyB.com Instant Messenger Forum

Good luck.