Connection issue concerning a wireless router and DNS.

Memphis · 05-03-2008, 01:29

Hi everyone,

OK, this problem is a bit vague, and I apologise if it's cropped up before, but I frankly don't know what to search for (besides 'DNS', which isn't accepted). So. For some time now, at seemingly random times (usually after at least an hour after the PC is switched on), a problem occurs. The first symptom of which is the inability to view webpages, with the whole 'page cannot be displayed' bit occuring. Just before that, in the status bar, it says it's 'looking for' whichever website before failing and flashing an error concerning DNS servers. Following this, programs such as MSN and XFire get disconnected, although downloads continue. This would lead me to suspect it is a problem, as IE claims, with the link between DNS server and my PC, however I have no idea what. I still get a strong connection to the router, and I am online (as downloads continue), it's just I can't do much with it.

I've noticed that I can trigger the problem into occuring if, after a while online, I try to join a COD4 server (it displays Awaiting Connection... 1, 2, 3... etc') although updates the server list prior to attempting to connect fine. This may rule out the possibility of other people in the house connecting to the router disrupting my connection as the cause.

The only fix is to restart the computer, although I've tried fiddling with various LAN settings but with no success.

I'm on Virgin Media cable 20Mb broadband package that is routed through a Belkin FSD7230-4 wireless router. My computer is an Asus A7T running Windows XP.

Any help would be much appreciated as while this problem isn't exactly life threatening, it's very annoying.

Thanks!

haydnwalker · 06-03-2008, 11:55

If you do a

Code:

start > run

and type CMD then press enter

Then in the command prompt window type

Code:

ipconfig /all

while the Internet is working

Look at the lines that read DNS Server and note down their IP addresses.

Leave IE closed with no downloads and no MSN etc connected.

Then type

Code:

ping -t <dns server IP>

Leave it for about 10minutes and then go back to it and press CTRL+C to stop the ping.

Then check how many dropouts or percentage loss there is. It could well be a duff DNS server that is up and down alot.

If you find issues then set your PC to auto detect its IP and DNS using DHCP and see if this cures it (if its not DHCP already).

---------- Post added at 11:55 ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 ----------

Also, if your PC is DHCP and it's a DNS issue, the rest of the PCs/Laptops on your network should have the same issue... Check this out with one of them.

If not it could be spyware or something on your PC affecting the TCP/IP stack.

Memphis · 06-03-2008, 13:46

Thanks a lot. I'll go try all that.

haydnwalker · 07-03-2008, 10:52

Did you manage to get any answers Memphis?

Memphis · 07-03-2008, 12:11

Well, the ping was fine, no losses and I think it's already set up for DHCP. There's a possible occurance of the problem in another computer but not too sure. I doubt it's the server itself anyway, as I am able to trigger the problem using COD. Could be an issue with the router I suppose.

Edit: Spyware scan came up clean also.

haydnwalker · 11-03-2008, 09:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memphis

Well, the ping was fine, no losses and I think it's already set up for DHCP. There's a possible occurance of the problem in another computer but not too sure. I doubt it's the server itself anyway, as I am able to trigger the problem using COD. Could be an issue with the router I suppose.

Edit: Spyware scan came up clean also.

Ok then. Try logging into the router via its web interface and look at its Diagnostics area. See if it's got a traceroute tool and then traceroute the server in question. Could be a problem on one of the hops it takes over the internet.

If this is not the case then I'd check the router's log but other than that all I can suggest is beg/borrow/steal a router from somewhere and test it against that to see if the problem re-occurs. And replace the router permanently if neccessary

tweetiepooh · 11-03-2008, 17:20

I used to have an issue with a US Robotics ADSL router where it would loose it's DNS relay ability. Essentially the router acts as a DNS server for you proxying requests and responces. The idea is that you don't have to play with settings on the computer if things at the ISP change. The router can pick up the change and you don't need to do anything.
This silly USR device would simply stop relaying the DNS stuff, connection fine, real DNS fine and so on. I've not had this issue on my Belkin though.

You could try herd setting the DNS servers on the PC with the real ones at VM and tell DHCP not to overwrite. That's what I did with the USR device.

Memphis · 11-03-2008, 17:48

It seems that changing the DNS servers in the router config from ISP to OpenDNS ones might have done the trick. So far so good anyway, but that's the problem with issues that randomly trigger, no way to know for sure.

Regardless, thanks both to of you for your help, if the issue resurfaces I'll have a crack at those suggestions. Ta!