Having Issues with Multiplayer

[clippen05]

Hello all, I've recently begun encountering a problem when it comes to L4D2 multiplayer. Whenever I join an official dedicated server, my ping is at an astronomical 500. Within seconds, it starts increasing until it hits 999; it never kicks me out however. This has only recently started occuring, and it does not happen if I try connecting to a friend's local server. Also, I don't know if this could be related, but whenever I exit the game it closes Steam. (Again, this did not always happen)

I have no problems with ping in other games such as Killing Floor and Red Orchestra 2 (I know these aren't Valve servers), although I have not tested any other Valve games or non-Valve dedicated servers. I have tried validating the files and that didn't work, and I'm in the process of uninstalling and reinstalling the game now. Can anyone offer any insight?

[clippen05]

Bump?

[zexx11]

run your antispyware stuff n pray.