ICS with Xbox 360 - "...DNS can't resolve the names..."

Current networking setup:

ADSL modem -> onboard gigabit LAN -> ICS -> Startech ST1000BT32 NIC -> Xbox 360

I had it working for a couple of months with a D-Link DFE-530TX+, but it acted up more than usual one day (the usual - it would occasionally switch to a different driver configuration on startup), and once I reinstalled the drivers, it no longer connected with the Xbox.

So I replaced it with the current NIC (even if the NIC wasn't the problem, I was sick of it randomly changing driver configs anyway), and with the same settings on the Xbox as before, I get the error (at step two of the test):

"Your DNS server can't resolve the names of the Xbox Live servers or Xbox.com."

Xbox settings:

IP address - 192.168.137.4
Subnet mask - 255.255.255.0
Gateway - 192.168.137.1

Primary DNS server - 192.168.137.1
Secondary DNS server - 0.0.0.0

I've gone through the following 2 tutorials with no luck whatsoever:

Use your computer to connect your Xbox 360 console to Xbox LIVE
http://www.morrisville.edu/documents...ionsharing.pdf

Pics of current PC settings (Local Area Connection 3 is the Xbox. With the previous NIC, it was called Local Area Connection 2):

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/93/config1c.png
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3264/config2.png
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3714/config3z.png
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/952/config4.png

All the ports necessary for Xbox Live are open.

I don't like routers.

Please help me.

Veyond said:

Current networking setup:

ADSL modem -> onboard gigabit LAN -> ICS -> Startech ST1000BT32 NIC -> Xbox 360

...

So I replaced it with the current NIC (even if the NIC wasn't the problem, I was sick of it randomly changing driver configs anyway), and with the same settings on the Xbox as before, I get the error (at step two of the test):

"Your DNS server can't resolve the names of the Xbox Live servers or Xbox.com."

Xbox settings:

IP address - 192.168.137.4
Subnet mask - 255.255.255.0
Gateway - 192.168.137.1

Primary DNS server - 192.168.137.1
Secondary DNS server - 0.0.0.0

...

I don't like routers.

Please help me.

Just a couple of thoughts;

Can you resolve other hosts?

You could try a DNS of 4.2.2.2 / 4.2.2.3 and see if you get a better result. THis is a generic DNS. If that works you might have a problem with your router config, or if you are unlucky like me, a faulty router.

You could also try something like the OpenDNS server IPs and see if that works (check with opendns.com).

Does your router have an option to turn DNS server on/off?

Is the router picking up your ISP's DNS server address(es)..

I also vaguely recall seeing some comments about uPNP causing some problems, though I can't remember the specifics. You could try turning that off if you have it enabled.. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on this one...

I am NOT using a router. I'm using Internet Connection Sharing (PC NIC 1 in from modem, PC NIC 2 out to Xbox).

Like I said, I don't like routers.

Veyond said:

I am NOT using a router. I'm using Internet Connection Sharing (PC NIC 1 in from modem, PC NIC 2 out to Xbox).

Like I said, I don't like routers.

Sorry, I missed the ICS.

I think you've answered your own question though. There is nothing overly complex about routers, and more than likely it will solve your problems. There are a number of advantages of routers over ICS.

ICS is the worst thing known to man.

You can try typing the DNS of your choice into your IPv4 properties windows where it says "use the following DNS server address" then just type in a real DNS server like Google's DNS > 4.4.4.4 and 4.4.8.8
http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/

Or do the unthinkable,..Get a router problem solved.

It's not about routers being complex, they have a reputation of misbehaving.

The ICS was working fine until *something* happened. I'd like to know what that *something* was.

I hate to double post, but this is a pressing problem for me. The PC is used by multiple members of the household, so when they're using it, I can't use my Xbox, and my Netflix subscription is running out...

*bump*

That last post was meant to express my SERIOUS situation. Do y'all have a policy of not helping those using uncommon networking methods because they don't like certain kinds of hardware?