Windows 7: DNS not working

I'm having a problem connecting my 2 laptops (Acer Aspire with Windows 7 Home, HP Pavillion with WinXP Prof) to the internet. Spent 90 minutes on the phone with RoadRunner and they concluded that because everything appeared to be working fine with the modem, the problem must be on my end (even though the problem started at the same time for both laptops) and I'll be charged for the service call.

It looks like the internet is working fine - RoadRunner's tests say I'm connected and when I tried pinging the DNS values for Google.com and Yahoo.com, everything works but I get error messages when I try the actual domain name. This happens both with and without the firewall and when Avira is not running. Tried flushing the DNS cache numerous times, using OpenDNS, and wiping the browser cache but still no internet. I've also tried this wired and wireless (ASUS WL-520GU). I'm going to try the GoogleDNS when I have a chance but don't have much hope for that.



Because I'm having the problem with both computers, I can't believe that two laptops magically crapped out at the same time, but also don't want to pay for the service call. Any ideas on what might be wrong or what else I can try?

Thanks!

Can you ping 74.125.19.99? If you put that address in your web browser do you go to google? If so then you do have a DNS problem. If not you have another issue.

Yes, may not have explained that properly in my original post. Typing in the numeric address works, typing in the 'human' domain name does not. One of the RR service reps I spoke with had me try to ping both Google.com and Yahoo.com, and I was able to reach both home pages, but when trying the regular domain name, I received an error that the request had timed out.

Also, I have this same problem whether I use the 'automatically detect DNS' setting or use the OpenDNS. Haven't had a chance to try GoogleDNS or any of the others.

OK, I just wanted to make sure it is a DNS issue. The above in RED I don't understand. What do you mean by regular domain name. google.com and yahoo.com are regular domain names???

Would you post your ipconfig /all from at least 2 machines? -WS

This does sound like a DNS issue. The fact that 2 laptops fail to connect correctly would seem to eliminate a hardware issue with themselves. If using a router, have you tried setting the DNS addresses there?

Sorry, I would say that I have a better than average understanding of basic computing, but of this, I understand very little. I only meant that when I did as you suggested, ping 74.125.19.99, the Google homepage loaded with no problem, but when I actually typed 'google.com' into the address bar, that's when I receive an error message.

I won't be able to get home to post that info until sometime tonight (there's a McDonalds nearby, hopefully they have WIFI). Please let me know if there's any other info that might help.

Thanks!

But if the problem is with settings on the router, then shouldn't I be able to access the internet when connected directly to the modem?

Try these addresses: BBC - Homepage and 212.58.246.92. They should both take you to the BBC home page. If you can only get through using the numerical IP address, then it points to a DNS problem somewhere along the line. Once at the BBC site, can you navigate there by following the links?

Try this both through your router and then connected directly to your modem bypassing the router. Do you get the same results whichever method is used?

I can try that one as well when I get home this evening but as I understand things, seems like that would have the same result as 74.125.19.99 getting me to Google's homepage but typing 'google.com' doing nothing. I'll let you know if it works.

Thanks.

I believe that Avira is causing this DNS problem. The post below explains the problem with Avira.
OpenDNS Community > Forums > Avira auto update doesn't work with OpenDNS :-(