Unable to access sites but broadband connection still present.

[Bogart]

Thought about time I asked the experts on this problem I've had for some time.
I can be quite happily surfing the net and then if I try to go to a different site I get the message
"Looking up www.xyz" where XYZ is the site I want to go to.
I have had this problem for months well longer really. The problem is solved with a reset of the router, Now it happens across different routers so I discounted them.
I though then it was my internet connection so carried on with a reset of the router.
I have recently purchased an internet radio and the odd thing is it carrys on playing music proving my broadband connection is still there.
The same happens with IE or Firefox.
I am at a loss where to point the finger of blame. It isn't a regular occurrence maybe once or twice a day at most.

 

[Jacee]

make sure you're not using a proxy:
1) Under “Tools” in the browser tool bar select “Internet Options”.
2) In the “Internet Options” window that pops up, click the “Connections” tab at the top.
3) Click “LAN Settings” near the bottom of the “Connections” section.
4) If the “Proxy server” checkbox is marked with a check, click it to deselect/uncheck it.
5) Click “Ok” to close the “Local Area Network (LAN) Settings” window.
6) Click “Ok” to close the “Internet Options” window.
Reboot
Make sure "Proxy server" is still disabled under your LAN Settings.
Test whether internet connectivity is restored.

Also, if your Anti-virus has a 'site/link scanner', such as AVG's AVG | LinkScanner | Free Internet Security Software ... it may be the cause.

 

[Bogart]

Hi

Proxy server was unchecked. Have now turned of the link scanner in AVG. Will await to see if it happens again.
Thanks

 

[Bogart]

Well that didn't take long problem still present.

 

[Qdos]

It sounds like you either have a DNS server conflict between Windows and your router, or are using a lousy DNS server...

 

[Bogart]

Problem exists with different makes of router. Not very savvy re DNS whatever, is there anything to be done?

 

[Qdos]

Assign your ISP's DNS servers in your router.

Do not designate any DNS servers in your PC's network adapter.

See if that clears matters up

 

[Bogart]

Could I please have that in plain english. Sorry as I said I'm not very good at this thing. I have just been chatting for an hour on a messaging site no problem but all through that hour I could not acess any other sites ie getting the looking up message.
I did state it may happen once a day has now happened 3 or 4 times this evening.
I'll put the AVG thing back how it was

 

[roncerr]

Could I please have that in plain english...

Qdos is trying to make sure your computer is set up for internet access in a manner similar to the way your Internet radio is set up. In other words, the radio has a network adapter (either Wi-Fi or Ethernet) that has its IPv4 DNS server setting to "obtain DNS server address automatically". That means that when requesting a website by name it uses whatever the router has programed in it as the IP address of the DNS server that will actually do the lookup required to determine what numerical address corresponds to the website name. Your router already has programmed in it a DNS server address that your ISP provides to its customers and it's that DNS server that will do the look up for the radio and for any other router-connected device also programmed to "obtain DNS server address automatically". Of course if you have never customized your network adapter setting on the computer, it should already be in the same position as the radio as far as obtaining the DNS server's IP address automatically from the router. This is only one step in the trouble shooting process. There are more suggestions and even an application here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/98056-sf-ie-restorator-troubleshooting-general-issues-ie.html

 

[Bogart]

Hi

Not specific to IE happens on Firefox too. As far as I'm aware the router is set okay, if it wasn't I would never get the net at all. I have not had any problems this morning so far and the internet has been connected for over 4 hours.

 

[Qdos]

DNS has nothing specifically to do with Firefox or IE. I would suggest you check your routers DNS settings in your router with your ISP by calling them - and if necessary a tech' will help you access your router and walk you through the necessary steps.

As Roncerr says, you must ensure you haven't contrarily entered anything for DNS in your adapter or you may be creating a conflict in effect.

 

[Bogart]

hi

Have just found that when the web is inaccessible the router has a default gateway of
195.166.130.11 but when normal service is resumed and the web is aceessible the default gateway is then 195.166.128.242 Strikes me as odd

 

[pricetech]

Do this;
Open a command prompt and type "ipconfig /all" without the quotes of course.
You're looking for "Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection" or "Wireless LAN Adapter Wireless Network Connection"
Look for an entry called "DNS Servers" and tell us what they are. There may only be one.

We'll go from there.

 

[pricetech]

hi

Have just found that when the web is inaccessible the router has a default gateway of
195.166.130.11 but when normal service is resumed and the web is aceessible the default gateway is then 195.166.128.242 Strikes me as odd

Odd, to say the least. Your router shouldn't spontaneously switch its Default Gateway. It takes a reset / power cycle / release-renew to do that.

 

[Jacee]

This is where your Router has set the 'default Gateway', in both cases: United Kingdom Sheffield Plusnet Plc

 

[Bogart]

Hi

Yes that is my ISP. It was suggested I manual input the DNS data and not let one be assigned automatically. I did this 3 days ago and so far haven't had the problem.
I intend reverting back to auto assignment and if the problem returns I then know that is the problem.

 

[Bogart]

Problem solved if I set TCP/IPv4 to manually select and use 8 8 8 8 for preferred DNS server and 8 8 4 4 for alternate DNS its fine tried for over a week no problems. If I set it back to obtaining DNS address automatically the problem returns.

Thanks for you help guys.

 

[Qdos]

If you're with Plusnet you should assign the following DNS addresses...

Primary DNS 212.159.6.9
Secondary 212.159.6.10

Ideally these should be entered manually in your router, and with DHCP activated each computer will work on 'automatically obtain a DNS address'...

NB; There are different DNS coordinates for dial-up should your router have a fail-over function...

Primary 194.72.9.34
Secondary 194.74.65.68

 

[Bogart]

Hi

Very confusing all this DNS stuff. With the figures I used ie 8888 etc I entered all the details into my internet radio and it worked fine when I disabled DHCP.

 

[Bogart]

If you're with Plusnet you should assign the following DNS addresses...

Primary DNS 212.159.6.9
Secondary 212.159.6.10

Ideally these should be entered manually in your router, and with DHCP activated each computer will work on 'automatically obtain a DNS address'...

NB; There are different DNS coordinates for dial-up should your router have a fail-over function...

Primary 194.72.9.34
Secondary 194.74.65.68

I'll give these a try out of interest. If I tinker a bit more might one day know vaguely what I am doing.