Strange internet connection problem...

[bigal911]

Hi Guys,

I've got a bit of a problem, hope someone can help - coz I'm totally stumped!

My connection was working fine one minute, and the next it was dead.

I connect to the internet via my network card and a 3com router/modem combo. I am running a dual boot Win XP Pro/Mandrake 10.1 system.

I have no problem connecting to the net in linux, everything works as it should. However, I can't connect in XP! The problem effects all programmes; web browers, anti-virus, etc.

I CAN connect to my router by typing it's IP into Firefox/IE, but can't get any further. When browsing my router, it shows that I have an active connection to the internet and evertyhting looks like it should be working. XP indicates that my network connection is working ok. I have tried re-assigning IP address to my computer, reconfiguring the router etc.

Nothing seems to work!

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Al

[ktkendall]

Can U go to a command prompt and try something like this:

C:\> ping www.pcmech.com

I suspect this will fail, then try :

C:\> ping 209.68.45.231

I suspect this will work and if it does work this way but not the first way then your DNS server settings are messed up. What if you try IE??

[bigal911]

I tried to ping a few different www's, but no luck.

The problem is the same in all programmes that access the net: IE, Firefox, mIRC, etc.

I'll try ping'in WAN IP's tonight. I'm at work just now :-)

Quick question: are DNS settings specific to OS when I'm connecting through a network? If DNS settings were attributed to my router, then maybe that rules out DNS settings, as when I boot my linux OS there is no connection problems.

Thanks.

[Statica]

There are some DNS settings that are specific to the OS, for example, the OS maintains a host file as well as a DNS cache that might account for DNS issues.
Have you tried openning up the file C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts in your notepad and checking for possible issues.
Another idea is to flush the dns cache .. open a command prompt and issue:
ipconfig /flushdns

[ktkendall]

OK, but now try pinging with the actual IP address like the one I gave U above which is pcmechs.. If you also fail to succeed pinging with IP address then the default gateway setting may be wrong now. Also go to command prompt and type ipconfig and post the results here for your network adapter, sounds like either dns problems or default gateway ip address got hosed up. DNS settings and default gateway are found by right clicking your network adapter then properties then tcp/ip properties.

[Digitalic]

Do you have a firewall running other than XP`s such as ZA that may be prohibiting access to a LAN? If not, try disabling XP`s firewall if your router has a NAT enabled to see if there is a conflict.

Also, sometimes you have to give a Windows based system time to establish a network connection, sometimes as long as 10 minutes even after you are able to get a ping response from the desired server. I know it may go against the grain of someone with network knowledge but give the network connection wizard a chance as it sets the proper registry settings. Also, in network connections, remove anything not in use such as an old dial up connection.

[bigal911]

Thanks for your help guys, much appreciated

I flushed the DNS (ipconfig /flushdns) and modified the connection properties to that it automatically detected the DNS server address automatically. Job done!

I'm writing this message on windows right now.

thanks again,
Al