yep, thats what I meant... hmmm, I just wondered if virgin were playing silly buggers. I don't know what it could be to be honest - it sounds like either virgin throttling or the microsoft server losing sync - can you update the x-box at all? is there a newer software version to be downloaded? The other thing is to try it with another game that isn't so heavily subscribed on the virgin side of thing.. also to see how it does at different times / without the computer on.... I just wonder if not having the PC in between might help.