My web browser wont resolve domain names

[warche]

Basically the problem I have is that I can view web pages by putting

http://616.58.234.187

in the address bar, but

http://www.hotmail.com

doesn't work. I can ping fine.

I generally use Internet Explorer 6.0.2800.1106 to browse the internet, but I have the same problem with Opera. I've run Spybot, Anti-Trojan, Norton & AVG anti-virus on my drive they all say i'm fine. I don't have any suspicious programs running that I can tell.

I ran a Leak Test (it basically tries to break through firewalls) and it works. I can ping.

 

[ChrisAC]

Can you resolve domain names on the command line? Have you got DNS servers set up?

Chris.


**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************

 

[warche]

I'm just trying to browse the internet with IE and it doesn't work unless I put in the IP address. I'm not really sure what you mean by either of your questions.

I always thought that the browser handled getting the correct IP, but it doesn't work on any browser I have on my computer. I am running Windows 98se. I think there either must be some setting that changed in windows, or some kind of virus that has disabled this feature

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

Warche,

More than likely this is a DNS issue, as Iproute indicated above.

In order to access

http://www.hotmail.com,

the DNS name must first be resolved to an IP address. If you type in an IP address, than you can effectively bypass the DNS resolution stage and go right to the IP address.

Look at it this way, If I know your telephone number, I can just pick up the phone and call you. However, If I do not know your number I must resolve your Name to a Number by using a telephone book. If I can't find a telephone book than I won't know how to reach you. Oversimplified analogy, but you see what I mean.

Now if you can reach a site by IP but not by DNS name resolution, then this is usaully a DNS issue.

Can you go to a command prompt and type

Ipconfig /all and than post the results back here...


Patty

 

[warche]

This is what I got

Windows 98 IP configuration

HostName: Destruction
DNS Servers:
Node Type:Broadcast
NetBIOS ScopeID:
IP Routing Enabled: No
WINS Proxy Enabled: No


Net BIOS Resolution Uses DNS: No

Ethernet Adapter:

Description: VIA PCI 10.100Mb Fast Ethernet Adapter
Physical Address: 00-e0-4c-98-4f-f7
DHCP Enabled: No
IP Address 192.168.2.106
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway 192.168.2.1
Primary WINS Server:
Secondary WINS Server:
Lease Obatined:
Lease Expires:

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

You notice that you have no DNS server listed.

How do you connect to the Internet?
Are you using a Router?


Patty

 

[warche]

Yeah I'm using a router. My other computer works and it has 192.168.1.1 for DNS servers.

IMy connection is Sprint DSL through their modem to a LinkSys router. I have 4 computers hooked up to the router. This is the only one that is giving me troub;e.

 

[ChrisAC]

I love the phonebook analogy. Do you mind if I use it to explain DNS to our customers which I have to do on a daily basis?

;-)

Anyway Warche, as has already been said, you have no DNS resolution so when you put

http://www.hotmail.com

or any other domain name your browser will not be able to resolve it to an IP address. Or should I say that your local DNS resolver won't know what to do with the request for DNS resolution. You appear to be using a routed connection so I would suggest getting the DNS server addresses from your ISP and putting them in the TCP/IP properties of your LAN card. Under where you put your IP address in you should see 'Use the following DNS server addresses'. Select this and then enter the ISP's DNS servers. When you run ipconfig you should see them listed.

eg.


Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 3Com EtherLink XL 10/100 PCI For Com
plete PC Management NIC (3C905C-TX)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-50-DA-4A-B5-ED
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.3.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.3.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 212.50.160.100
212.50.161.28


Chris.





**********************
Chris Andrew, CCNA, CCSA
chris@iproute.co.uk
**********************

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

Iproute, heck yeah, feel free!

Warche,

Right click My Network Neighborhood and then click Properties. Right click the conneciton, (usually named Local Area Connection) and choose Properties. Highlight TCP/IP and click Properites. Click the DNS tab and enter the IP 192.168.1.1 as is the case on your other PC's that ar functioning properly.

Keep us posted,

Patty

 

[warche]

I've looked at the IPconfig of my computer that works and the one that doesn't. The only differences that I see is the one that works has

DNS Servers: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Enabled: Yes

It also has a listing for DHCP server.

I went into the TCP/IP properties, and I couldn't find any where to change that info.

 

[GrnEyedLdy]

Enable DHCP on the computer in question by

1. Right click My Network Neighborhood and then click Properties.
2. Highlight TCP/IP and click Properites.
3. Click the button next to "Obtain an IP address automatically".
4. Click Ok


In 98 I believe that this will force a re-boot. When you come back up, check your Ipconfig /all again and see if it now has the address of a DNS server.


Patty