Perplexing DNS Issue
 

I have a very strange problem with a Dell Inspiron Desktop Computer with Vista O/S not being able to connect to the Internet. All was well until recently when it no longer resolves any DNS Names and you get the standard page cannot be displayed message. The Network Centre says it's connected and it can see all the other computers on the Network to which it is connected via a wired port on the Router. None of the other Computers, xbox etc have any problems connecting to the Internet or each other.

Ipconfig /all shows the correct IP, Subnet Mask, Gateway and DNS Servers for the Adapter

I have tried releasing & renewing the IP
Flushing the DNS
Netsh Int Ip reset
Netsh Winsock reset
Stopping Starting the DCHP and DNS Clients

I can ping computers on the network and sometimes net addresses like www.google.com beyond the Router but not every time i try

nslookup generally results in a DNS Time Out but does return the DNS Server IP of my ISP

If i type in an IP into the browser like 209.85.229.147 it brings up the Google Web Page but won't go any further.

Nothing seem to work bring back the DNS Settings and i suspect a Factory Restore is my only option.

Anyone have any ideas on this?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

have you tried removing the NIC in device manager and readding? I had a very similar issue once on a client at work and this resolved it.

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

A friend of mine called me a few nights ago with what sounds like an identical problem. after going through pretty much what you've already done, i reset the Internet Explorer settings and tried browsing. weirdly it took us to the virgin registration procedure!!!! the only site we could get too. when we finsished the registration the modem rebooted and all was ok!!!! I'd add that my mate was not a new customer, had not moved address and it had been working fine the night before.

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

I tried removing the NIC in Device Manager and rebooting to find new hardware but this didn't do anything. One thing i have just tried is putting the Computer IP into the Routers DMZ which has solved the problem but I'm sure it shouldn't be part of the Solution. Anyone know what this is telling me apart form I need to start reading some IT Books?

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

It tends to suggest that for some reason the router is bolcking communication on some or all ports to the IP of the PC. Putting the PC in the routers DMZ is basically saying "let everything though on all ports to this machine"

What make/model is the router?

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

Sounds like a zone transfer issue or a policy issue, both of which will occur on the router. Had you made any changes on the router, either physical or software based?

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

The Router is a Linsys WRT54G and i have replaced the Modem. Which is when i did a restore of the Router Config File and then cloned the PC Mac Address of the Computer directly connected to it. Do you think a Factory Reset on the Router is required?

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

Firstly, i'd remove the MAC cloning from the router, switch off everything, including the cable modem.

Leave the cable modem off for 30 seconds, and then power it back on, wait for it's lights to settle into their normal pattern, and then power on the router, followed by everything else. This will enable the router and cable modem to communcate on the IP level using the MAC of the router.

When you say you've restored the config file, when did create this file. Are you saw not just importing old problems from that file. If it's not too much hassle, i'd reset the router back to factory config.

Re: Perplexing DNS Issue
 

Jon i did what you said and did a factory reset on the Router followed by a restart of everything and it worked a treat. many thanks to everyone for the help.