Most common causes of lag:

• Make sure that you have the most updated Direct X compatible video and sound drivers.
• Close any fax, modem, or answering machine type programs.
• Turn off Music and Sound on all systems.
• With a cable over 10 feet long you can have signal loss.
• Each adapter you use will increase the amount of signal loss.
• Checking The COM port Settings
  • Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel
  • Double Click on "System"
  • Select the "Device Manager" tab
  • Click on the "+" sign next to "Ports (COM & LPT)"
    (if there is no "+" sign call your computer manufacturer to fix the problem)
  • Select the COM port that you are using for the Direct Link, and click on Properties
  • Select the "Port Settings" Tab
  • Change the Flow control to "Hardware".
  • Adjusting the Bits Per Second: (Set and keep them equal on all systems)
    • If you experience lag (slow game with lots of waiting for other player messages), set the Bits Per Second as High as possible.
    • If you experience players being dropped during game play try lowering the Bits Per Second by one setting until you can play without players being dropped.