Re: Can't access Dell website
 

I had the same problem this morning with a user working from home with a linksys router and a software firewall. He couldn't access Windows Update.

Once the software firewall was uninstalled he was working fine. As long as you are going through the router you won't need it. I have 4 PC's and 2 wireless laptops going through my router without any software firewall !! Unless you have your PC configured as a DMZ the router will act as your firewall.

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

markknell: but it's not my software firewall that's at fault, cos when I bypass the router and still use the software firewall all is well, and when I try in safe mode (without software firewall) then I still can't access the page. It's just my router...

cobbydaler: no joy with MTU settings still

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

I don't know why this should work, but it might (I've seen it cure other problems, though not this one!).

If the router IP is not in ZA's trusted zone, try adding it...

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

sadly doesn't help

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

I have just looked over your previous posts again. Do you still have dell.co.uk set in your hosts file? If you can perform a complete trace to dell.co.uk you should be able to browse it. Can you please install Firefox or something different than your current browser.

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

And there's no keyword blocking & you've tried going down in increments of 10 from 1492 for the MTU?

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

Did you clear your internet cache and cookies ?

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

markknell: dell still in hosts file, tracert & ping fine but not the webpage, also have tried firefox on my W98 machine which also has the same problem (put dell into hosts file there also). And yes I've cleared cache & cookies.

cobbydaler:no keyword blocking, I've gone down in increments to 1392 but then got bored & went for 576 with no success (but then at no point is there any packet disruption on the ping)

I've mailed dnstech at dell on the whois page in case he has any ideas, but if you have more suggestions keep them coming - I & dell will be very happy if we find the solution!

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

What happens if instead of letting DHCP assign the DNS Servers you put these in the router:

4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2?

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

Valerie,do you have a cd/dvd burner? or access to one,
the fact you say you have tryed a W98 implys its not the installed OS settings but just to be sure , go grab a linux livecd , burn &boot that to see if you can then get through.

the slax i refer to here http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...355#post795355 will probably do fine for testing.

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

Success!!!!!

Cobbydaler - you are terrific - changing dns servers to 4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2 solved the problem - now can you explain why? (hoping no-one else comes up with reason why this is a bad idea!!)

rep point coming your way! many thanks to you and everyone who tried to help - great place this!

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

Well, I don't understand the techieness behind it or why it affects dell.co.uk & not other sites!

I just remembered I'd read somewhere that some router/DNS server combinations don't handle the translation through the router very well if the DNS server addresses are assigned by DHCP...

I just suggested 4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2 as they're the ones I've had in my router since ntl's were playing up a while ago. They're also easy to remember!

I'm not sure, but it could be if you put the ntl dns addresses (194.168.4.100 / 194.168.8.100) in the router manually it might fix the problem as well. That's if you don't want to use the alternative...

Glad it's fixed!

Re: Can't access Dell website
 

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...7&postcount=13

Hmm DNS and you lot were still going on about firewalls :S