taken from thread Extreme Packet Loss Question ...
UO Tech

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I think I'm helpless here but ... I have been having a huge problem playing for the past moth or so. I am having a great amount of packet loss according to the server login screen. Problem is that my ISP blocks all ping and traceroutes so I am unable to find out for myself where the problem is occuring. (and no, I can not switch ISPs as they are the only provider in my area) My question is, is there anything else that can be done, or do I just have to close all of my accounts and try again in a few months?

Here is an example of what I get on login ...

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Without using any diagnostic tools it is impossible to say. Judging from the across the board nature of your problem I'd say the issue is with your ISP or their backbone provider. Respectfully tell them about the problem and that since they will not allow you to diagnose it you expect them to help troubleshoot it.

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any shard in UOTrace is .owo.com

To see the tracert and polling for Lake Austin, the server address is lakeaustin.owo.com

CAVEAT: Do not get server list when invoking proggie. This is a case of "just say No". Also if company has a firewall setup, you may get incorrect results. My company firewall will not tracert properly outside the intranet ... altho I can easily access whatever I want.

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Spada EA UO Lead Game Master

You could also try using a web based Trace Route tool like the ones listed: here. (or try google search for prettier ones) This may go around your ISP's block and help you see if the issue is on their end since the route will trace back to your IP.

Also, where you live may impact packet loss (some times areas have issues, but these can clear up in a couple of days) as well as a service providers routers begining to fail, or having out of date firmware, which is correctable by them easily.
Good luck, but don't give up hope!

I never trust the log in screens picture of connectivity. There was a point where they acknowledged that it was borked up but I believe they said they fixed it...

I like UOTrace because of the nice simple interface but there are alot of other free proggys that have even more functionality. 3D Traceroute is one Visual Traceroute is another, tho that only has a free demo...

I keep meaning to write up a little FAQ about reading a traceroute...its really pretty simple but if your unfamiliar with them you can easily misinterpret results.