Please help - DNS server is not responding

I own a Dell Inspiron 1545 with Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64bit). Last night i was browsing the internet fine before i shut my laptop down. An hour later, i decided to do something on my laptop and started it up again, but could not get online - through Ethernet or Wireless. I chalked it up to ISP problems (i have optimum online) and seeing as how I can go online on my tablet (where i'm posting from now), shut the laptop down and went to bed. This morning, i decided to troubleshoot and i got the DNS server message. I was wondering if anyone here would be so kind to help.

Thanks in advance
rob

Try a different DNS server, if you are able to get online then, the original DNS server you were using is having some issues.

If you need help changing your DNS server, just PM me.

kbrady1979 said:

Try a different DNS server, if you are able to get online then, the original DNS server you were using is having some issues.

If you need help changing your DNS server, just PM me.

Yea the forum isn't letting me PM you. I think its cause i'm a new member...

Go here: Windows 7 Forums > User Control Panel » Edit Options and make sure you have it set up to send/receive personal messages.

First things first, can you still not get on the internet on your laptop? If you haven't checked in awhile, you might want to.

kbrady1979 said:

First things first, can you still not get on the internet on your laptop? If you haven't checked in awhile, you might want to.

no i am still not able to get online

OK, to change your DNS settings, follow these directions....

Windows 7

1. Click the Start Orb, then select Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on your primary connection or Local Area Connection under Active Networks.
4. Click the Properties button.
   Windows 7 may prompt you for permission to make network setting changes.
5. Highlight 'Internet Protocol Version 4' and click Properties.
6. Click the radio button 'Use the following DNS server addresses:' and type 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.
7. Click OK button, then the Close button, then Close again. Finally, close the Network and Sharing Center window.
   At this point, we highly suggest that you flush your DNS resolver cache and web browser caches to ensure that your new configuration settings take effect.

kbrady1979 said:

Go here: Windows 7 Forums > User Control Panel » Edit Options and make sure you have it set up to send/receive personal messages.

I don't have that option - if anything, can we speak over email

kbrady1979 said:

OK, to change your DNS settings, follow these directions....

Windows 7

1. Click the Start Orb, then select Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on your primary connection or Local Area Connection under Active Networks.
4. Click the Properties button.
   Windows 7 may prompt you for permission to make network setting changes.
5. Highlight 'Internet Protocol Version 4' and click Properties.
6. Click the radio button 'Use the following DNS server addresses:' and type 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220 in the Preferred DNS server and Alternate DNS server fields.
7. Click OK button, then the Close button, then Close again. Finally, close the Network and Sharing Center window.
   At this point, we highly suggest that you flush your DNS resolver cache and web browser caches to ensure that your new configuration settings take effect.

I have done all of the above - restarting my computer

This, unfortunately has not resolved the problem.