Cannot get DNS to work.

[G0AOZ]

XP Pro SP2 running on a Dell Latitude D600. System appears to be free of viruses, adware, etc., although is still dreadfully slow to load up basic items in the SystemTray. Problem happens on both the Ethernet and Wireless adaptors. Browser comes up with "The page cannot be displayed". I can PING 66.249.93.104 but doing PING google.co.uk will fail.

Went back to IE6 and reinstalled SP2. That made a slight improvement to bootup speed, but did nothing to help the DNS problem.

Tried manually putting in the DNS IP in TCP/IP Properties, but makes no difference. Also tried the following:-

ipconfig /flushdns
net stop dnscache
net start dnscache

Any ideas what else to try?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[vacunita]

You can always try different DNS addresses. Google "free DNS servers" and you'll get some useful hits

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks vacunita. Putting in the OpenDNS addresses makes no difference, e.g. 208.67.222.222 but maybe I'm not explaining the problem adequately.

The router here is automatically picking up the DNS which allows this machine to successfully connect (to Tek-Tips!). I can also manually put in my ISP's preferred DNS IPs, and they work fine too, on this machine. However, doesn't matter what I put into the Dell laptop, its operating system doesn't seem able to "use" any DNS service that's made available to it. Tried a different router as well.

I'm thinking this is a fundamental fault of the Dell's operating system, not any inablility of the router to connect to a DNS server. This problem affects all users on the Dell in both Normal and Safe mode. I also tried creating a new user - same problem.

What am I missing here...?

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[vacunita]

The router here is automatically picking up the DNS which allows this machine to successfully connect (to Tek-Tips!). I can also manually put in my ISP's preferred DNS IPs, and they work fine too, on this machine. However, doesn't matter what I put into the Dell laptop, its operating system doesn't seem able to "use" any DNS service that's made available to it. Tried a different router as well.

Next question then, Is the Dell actually getting the configuration info from the router.

If you compare the TCP/IP setup from the working computer to the one in the DELL do the look identical except for the IP address?

Is the Router set as DHCP? If so is the DELL machine set to get configuration from DHCP?

Manually setting the DNS's into the TCP/IP config on the DELL do anything?

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[G0AOZ]

Yes, Dell is getting configuration info from the router ok.

Yes, TCP/IP settings look identical.

Yes, router has DHCP enabled. And yes, Dell is set to DHCP.

Currently I have two of my own machines running, this one has TCP/IP set manually, and my laptop (not a Dell), is set for DHCP. Both are connecting satisfactorily through the router. I have tried setting the Dell with both a static address, and set it for DHCP. Also tried a static DNS and obtain DNS automatically. Always with the same results. Typing ipconfig shows all the right settings. When the Dell is on DHCP, it shows DNS as the router's IP.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[Freestone]

I wonder if resetting the IP stack would help, Roger?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

 

[vacunita]

Try Running winsockfix:

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Network-Tweak/WinSockFix.shtml

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[vacunita]

Sorry just though of something:

Any firewall that may be blocking the DNS addresses?

Any entry in your HOSTS file that maybe be interfering?

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[tlcscousin]

Is there a proxy server setting or configuration script set in the LAN settings of Internet Options (connections tab)?

 

[linney]

How is it from "Safe Mode with Networking", or in IE with No Add-ons, or the equivalent in IE6 via Internet Options/ Advanced etc?

Here are some solutions to the more Weirder causes.

Got Network issues and nForce Chipset...
thread1583-1437402

Sometimes even a GURU needs help...
thread779-1505348

What is the Event Viewer telling you?

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks for the responses.

Freestone - Tried a stack reset using netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt but no difference.

Vacunita - Tried Winsockfix and also WinsockxpFix and IEFIX.

Did have Panda Security 2006 but I uninstalled it just to make sure it wasn't masking the problem. I've also temporarily disabled XP's own firewall.

The HOSTS file is empty save for the 127.0.0.1 localhost entry.

Tlcscousin - No proxy server setting or config script in Internet Properties/Connections/LAN settings. I have got the "Automatically detect settings" box ticked.

Linney - Safe Mode with Networking produces the same problem. I have already tried resetting IE6 back to defaults and disabling all the Add-ons.

Also installed FireFox, but same problem, "Server not found".

Looked at the links but nothing jumps out at me there. The Ethernet adaptor uses Broadcom chipset. I've reloaded the driver - no difference.

Event Viewer. No errors shown, but then I noticed that despite this service being shown as "Started", it hadn't recorded ANYTHING for nearly 24 hours! The clock is correct, so that's another weirdo to sort out!

Not surprisingly nslookup didn't work either.

I'm reluctant to give up on this one as he has so many programmes loaded. A quick "bog standard" XP install on a spare hard disk proved the hardware is all ok, so I'm pretty sure this DNS issue is down to the XP software installation...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[linney]

So what is next, a repair install, or a format and clean install?

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

 

[G0AOZ]

Thanks Linney, but I'm already ahead of you on the second and third ones!

I actually ran Chkdsk on the laptop drive with it connected to my bench rig - didn't find much, and no bad blocks. Ditto SFC. Unfortunately made no difference...

I'll try the Verify Unsigned Drivers, and then give repair install a go. There are no previous Restore Points, so that's something else to try and sort!

First though, I need to clean up the resulting crud after XP Antivirus 2008 was "invited" into a user's Advent machine. It's all go...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[allteltec]

I like to try a Bert Pe boot CD on problems like this. You can find out is it software or hardware.

 

[linney]

Or even BartPE.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Q310405 - How to Turn On and Turn Off System Restore in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/4/05.asp

Q302796 - Troubleshooting System Restore in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302796&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[tlcscousin]

Does the dell have a wireless network card installed as well? If so if you shut off the wireless card does it make a difference?
If it has a wireless card and if the router has wireless can the dell surf on the wireless connection?

 

[G0AOZ]

Allteltec - thanks for the suggestion. Since I've already done a quick "bog Standard" XP install on this laptop (on another drive), I'm fairly confident it's the original software installation that's the problem. The hardware gets a reasonable "going over" during an install...

Linney - after speaking to the user again, he indicates something went wrong with System Restore in the past, so we think all the Restore points have probably been lost anyway. Worth a look though - thanks.

Tlcscousin - Yes, machine has built-in WiFi. That exhibits the same problem as the wired connection. Have tried switching it off, but makes no difference.

Going to try an XP Repair later today - will post results.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[Lemon13]

have u tried ipconfig /registerdns

 

[tlcscousin]

http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/support/card?id=22406&idIdioma=2&idSolucion=82&idProducto=68

The above is to Panda's uninstall utility i would suggest they try running it to see if it is just a remnant of panda causing the blockage.
I tried Panda's internet security on two different laptops and on both had issues. If i installed it with the firewall there was just no way to get the computer to connect to the Internet and no matter what adjustments i made to the firewall was unable to surf. The second laptop ended up being a motherboard issue with a RAM slot but when i installed Panda it actually installed and on first boot after install was left with the BSOD and no start had to safe mode and remove to get laptop to start.The laptop kept having issues so RMA'd it back to Acer and after motherboard replacement have had no issues.

 

[G0AOZ]

I had previously noticed that the following services were not starting up as expected:-

Application Layer Gateway Service
Computer Browser
DHCP Client

Found that the AFD.SYS file appeared to be corrupt - copied over from a good system, and the above services would then start up correctly. However, DNS still not working...

Lemon13 - tried ipconfig /registerdns This came back with a positive response, and said to check in Event viewer in 15 minutes for any errors. There weren't any.

Had to capitulate and do an XP Repair. This appears to have gone ok, and DNS connection now works ok, allowing the browser to work normally. It's unfortunate that I wasn't able to put my finger on exactly where the DNS problem lay, but my thanks to you all for your helpful suggestions.

ROGER - G0AOZ.