I'm not sure if this is in the right place; if not, many apologies.
I've been trying to configure an optimal MTU setting for my system and my router, as instructed by the following website:
http://help.expedient.com/broadband/mtu_ping_test.shtml
When I run the test outlined there, I get inconsistent results. For instance, when I ping DaniWeb.com I get a 100% success rate with the MTU value I enter (1432 works best). Whereas when I ping Microsoft.com with the same MTU value I get "request timed out" errors, and changing the MTU value doesn't make a difference. Does anyone know why this is, and if there's a way to correct it?
The reason I'm trying to get this nailed is because I feel that it may be contributing to a problem I'm having with Windows Live Messenger. Many times my messages aren't sent/received, but no error message informs me of that fact, so we (me and whoever I'm talking to at the time) have to assume the message didn't arrive and we have to copy and paste them again. I had this problem sorted out, but after reinstalling Windows last week the problem has returned, although the ping issues outlined above were never resolved...
I don't think my router is to blame, because the configuration hasn't changed, so I'm assuming (in my ignorance) that it's something in my system, and the ping problem seems relevant.
I'm using Windows XP SP2 with all of the latest updates, if that matters.
Thanks for your time :)