DNS Lookup Error

[gypsy63]

Hi Everyone:
Don't know weather this is a Vista problem or a ISP problem, but all day today almost every time I click on a link, I get a page that says, "DNS Lookup Error". Most of the time I can refresh the page and then the page shows up as it was suppose to in the first place. But it is happening more and more and I can't figure out weather it is my OS or my Satellite Internet Provider. We have had either cloudy weather or rainy weather here for the last 2-3 days, so I am wondering could it just be that the signals are not getting through the clouds and causing this error message. Anyone with any idea if it could be caused by Vista if it maybe just a bad connection because of clouds? Or other another cause? I have run both my AVAST and my SUPERAntiSpyware and nothing shows up.

Dell Inc. Inspiron 531 00 (bought Dec 2007)
Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 2 (build 6002)
Firefox 3.5.2

Processor a
2.30 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core
256 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board b
Board: Dell Inc. 0RY206
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Inc. 1.0.6 09/06/2007

Drives
1500.01 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
1332.24 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

PBDS DVD+-RW DH-16W1S SCSI CdRom Device [CD-ROM drive]

HP psc 2175 USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 6
SAMSUNG HD501LJ SCSI Disk Device (500.11 GB) -- drive 0
TEAC USB HS-CF Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 2
TEAC USB HS-MS Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 4
TEAC USB HS-SD Card USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 5
TEAC USB HS-xD/SM USB Device [Hard drive] -- drive 3
WD 10EAVS External USB Device [Hard drive] (1000.20 GB) -- drive 1
Memory Modules c,d
1982 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM_1' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_2' has 1024 MB
Slot 'DIMM_3' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM_4' is Empty

Local Drive Volumes
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 489.32 GB 386.46 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive 0) 10.74 GB 4.92 GB free
k: (FAT32 on drive 1) 999.96 GB 940.87 GB free

Controllers
IDE Channel [Controller] (2x)
NVIDIA nForce Serial ATA Controller
Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller

Display
NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 [Display adapter]
DELL E228WFP [Monitor] (22.0"vis, s/n KU3117AJ1MML, October 2007)

Bus Adapters
Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller

NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller

Multimedia
Realtek High Definition Audio

USB Human Interface Device
HP psc 2170 series
HID Keyboard Device
Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Web
HP PSC 2170 Series (DOT4USB)
USB Composite Device
USB Mass Storage Device (3x)
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (2x)
Generic volume shadow copy
psc 2175
USB HS-CF Card
USB HS-MS Card
USB HS-SD Card
USB HS-xD/SM

Virus Protection
avast! antivirus 4.8.1290 [VPS 081124-0] Version 4.8.1290
Realtime File Scanning On
SUPERAnitSpyware


Some Software that might be relevant--too many to list all:

Acrobat.com *
Ad-Watch *
Adobe Acrobat Version 9.1.0.2009022700 *
Adobe AIR 1.0.1 Version 1.0.1 *
Adobe Reader Version 9.1.0.2009022700 *
ALWIL Software - avast! Antivirus Version 4, 8, 0, 0 *
Andrea Electronics Corporation - APO Access Service (32-bit) Version 1.0.32.1 *
Apple Inc. - Bonjour Version 1,0,6,2 *
Apple Inc. - iTunes Version 8.2.1.6 *
Apple Inc. - QuickTime QuickTime 7.6.2 (1324) *
Apple Mobile Device Service Version 2.50.39.0 *
Apple Software Update Version 2.1.1.116 *
Auslogics - Disk Defrag Version 2.x *
Avanquest Software - Digital Line Detection Version 1, 0, 0, 2 *
Belarc, Inc. - Advisor Version 7.2v *
BVRP - Netwaiting Version 2.5.44 *
CBS Interactive - CNET TechTracker Version 1.0.0.40 *
Google Desktop Version 5.9.906.4286
Google Updater Version 2.4.1441.4352.beta *
GoogleToolbarNotifier Version 2, 0, 301, 1654 *
Macromedia, Inc. - Shockwave Flash Version 7,0,14,0 *
Macrovision Corporation - InstallShield (R) Version 10.50 *
Macrovision FLEXnet Connect Version 3, 20 *
McAfee SiteAdvisor Version 2,9,0,0
Microsoft Corporation - Windows Defender
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 2.0.50727.4016 *
Microsoft® .NET Framework Version 3.0.4506.4037 *
Microsoft® Schedule+ for Windows 95(TM) Version 7.5 *
Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET Version 7.00.9466 *
NVIDIA Corporation - nForce Network Test Utility Version 1, 0, 0, 6566 *
NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 175.16 Version 7.15.11.7516 *
Pantaray Research LTD. - Engine Version 8.0.0.0 *
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE 6 U14 Version 6.0.140.8 *
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) Platform SE 6 Version 6.0.0.104 *
Western Digital - DLGDIAG for Windows Version 1.13 *

Thanks,

[HAN]

With satellite, connection quality is all important. You provider should be able to diagnose your connection from their end. (I know we can and the co. where I work does so whenever it's necessary.) Based on those numbers, they should be able to tell if it's weather, equipment or point and peak. I'd give your tech support a call...

[gypsy63]

We always get very poor support with our ISP whenever there is a problem with our service. You would think as much as we have to pay for the service that we would get "gold" support. I can almost tell you what their answer will be--"it's the weather". We don't have much choice about who we use because we live way out in the middle of no where and their is no other Internet service except the service that we get through them. Just as an example of how bad the service is, we can not even look at any news clips, You tube videos, or any other type video clips on the Internet because they claim we use up our bandwidth when we do--and we pay for the highest amount of bandwidth that we can get from them. One night I watched just a few short news clips and the next day they cut our service off and told us we had to cut off our receiver and leave it off for 24 hours before we could get our service back --so I don't think they will much care weather we are getting any service with these DNS Lookup errors or not. The only thing we are waiting for, is that we are suppose to be getting fiber optic in our area some times this year--a lot cheaper than what we are now paying & a lot faster too!

According to our weather report, we are suppose to be getting rain again for the next 2 days at least. When it stops raining I will give them a call then. At least they won't be able to give me the excuse that it is the weather this time if there is no bad weather. Thank you anyway, it is what most people would do with a normal ISP.
Thanks,

[fink]

I'd try using opendns.

http://www.opendns.com/

It's a very reliable, free DNS service. Instructions on how to use it are here...

https://www.opendns.com/start/device/windows-vista

[HAN]

I feel your pain... Satellite service works but typically, it's not what it's often represented to be. It is not WiFi, WiMax, DSL or Cable. It's one step above dial-up. Along with that, there are download/upload FAP (fair access policy) bandwidth limits, weather issues and physical location issues. Definitely not a free lunch. But if you want better than dial-up (and it IS better), and you are location challenged, it may be the only game in town.

I am familiar with what you're saying. (Like I mentioned, where I work, we sell and install satellite internet systems (FWIW, I don't work directly with them.)) The best advice I can give is what I noted above. Your provider (and I have a very good idea who it is based on your 24hr FAP issue) should be able to know pretty much what is going on without a truck roll. Now whether or not they'll do it is another issue.

Normally, I'd agree with fink on changing the DNS provider to see if it makes any difference. But with satellite, I'm not so sure. I guess you could try changing it and see but I'm guessing it won't help...

[gypsy63]

Fink:
Went to the links you posted and read a lot about this service, even though I have not finished reading everything about it yet. I always like to know everything about a service or a program before I use it--all the cons and the pros. So I will be reading about it a lot more before I do anything or not do anything about this service. One thing that I usually always do is to go to other sites that review products, services, etc and see what all everyone else has to say about having tried out the service or product. I appreicate you sending me the link in case it turns out to be the answer to my problem. Right now I am just a little confused about having to have a static IP address from what I have read. With our Satellite service it does not keep the same IP address constantly--maybe switches to another one about once or twice a week--usually it is only 2 different addresses, but just the same, it does not keep just one of them all the time. And we have 2 PCs in our house that is wireless, so I am not sure how this would be effected either--like I said, I need to read a lot more and do some research before making a decision.

HAN: I may try out Fink's suggestion after I have done enough research on what he suggests. But I have a feeling like you, that it may not be the solution for Satellite service. It seems like years ago when we had Dial-up, we used some type of service like the one being suggested--can't remember the name of it now or exactly how it worked (at least 10 years ago)--but it caused us a lot of problems!
Thanks for all of your thoughts and helpful suggestions,

[SpywareDr]

No no, under the "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties", you leave the "Obtain an IP address automatically" selected, which means you'll still have a Dynamic, not Static IP address. (To setup a Static IP address would require selecting the "Use the following IP address" option and then entering your IP address, Subnet mask and your Default gateway).

To change your DNS servers is right below all that. Instead of using the "Obtain DNS server address automatically" option, you want "Use the following DNS server addresses". "Then in the Preferred DNS server" box, type in:

208.67.222.222

and in the "Alternate DNS server" box, type in"

208.67.220.220

That's all there is to it. Click "OK" and then give Vista a minute or two to get connected to those DNS servers and you're ready to start surfing.

If it doesn't work for you, it's easy to change it back to your ISP's DNS servers. Simply make the change from "Use the following DNS server addresses" back to "Obtain DNS server address automatically" and click "OK".

[gypsy63]

So what you are saying is that I should use the option that says, "you leave the "Obtain an IP address automatically" selected, which means you'll still have a Dynamic, not Static IP address"--because this is for a home resident and not for a business. I only refer to that because I just talked to my daughter about what you posted (she has been going to school for 4 years on learning everything she can about computers, etc) & she said that usually when you change to setting up a Static IP address it is usually for businesses that have different computers. Is she correct? And if she is, then the first part of your instructions about "Obtain an IP address automatically" is the part that you mean for me to use?
Thanks,

[jdc2000]

Most home computers do not need a fixed IP address unless they are running a web or ftp server or other type of server software. QuickBooks also works better with a fixed IP address in multi-user mode.

Leaving the "Obtain IP address automatically" setting as is should not be a problem.

[fink]

Obtain an IP address automatically

Is a different setting than the one I mentioned above. As Spywaredr says..

To change your DNS servers is right below all that.

Your IP address should not have any effect at all with your problem but DNS servers might.

[SpywareDr]

Like this:

[gypsy63]

SpywareDr:
I know I don't seem to be getting this, (this is just so our of my field) but the pic that you just posted, is this suppose to be exactly how I am suppose to choose everything--with everything that I see that you have checked and also put in all the numbers that are typed in for the DNS server address? Just want to make sure that I do this right and not check or put in anything I shouldn't.
Thanks,

[fink]

Yes, that is how it should look after you've modified it, numbers included.

To go back to it's default settings select "Obtain dns server address automatically".

[gypsy63]

Right now I am so tired that I have to go to bed. But before I do, just wanted to let you know what happened. I printed out as much of the instructions on the site as it would let me, until I had to go to step 2 (page 2) to continue with the instructions. When I hit that button, the next page said OPPs, you have not created an account yet. So I then proceeded to fill out the form to register as an account user and waited for my confirmation email. When I got that, I clicked on the link that it told me to in the email. But after I got to the site I still could not go to Step 2 (page 2) to finish printing out the rest of the instructions--it took me back to the same site before that said I needed to create an account even though my user name was at the top of the page. It said to go back to step one (page one) again. So I did. Next I tried to watch the video that they had on the site about setting up the account and using the service. But it was a terrible video--you would have thought I had dial-up the way it behaved--loss of audio more than half the time, completely stopping at other times, and just plain bad. So I gave up on that. Then I thought maybe the site wanted me to follow the first instructions first before going any further. So I tried that next. I followed out the printed instructions that I had and when I got to the 4th step where it said now click on properties, nothing happened when I clicked on it. I tried numerous time clicking on it but it just sat there as if I had not clicked on anything at all. So there I was with no where else to go. So next I clicked on the Diagnose button that was in this same window as the Properties button was located. Windows popped up and said nothing was wrong with my computer. Then I clicked on 'Details' and there was a whole list of things listed in there (16 items), but I am just too tried right now to type all the details out. I had highlighted the area but it would not let me copy the information so I could paste it here--just in case there was something in the details that would explain the problem. I have to take my car to the shop tomorrow (out of town) so I won't be able to get back here again until tomorrow night and then I will post the Detail list and see if that is of any help to any of you in diagnosing my problem. In the mean time, if there is anything else you think I should look at to see if it is checked or unchecked somewhere else before I got to this 4th step, let me know & I will check it out first when I get back home. Been up since 4 AM and it is now after midnight here.
Thanks to all and good night,

[fink]

You don't need to set up any accounts... as they say.. it's optional. You don't need to do any scans. You don't even have to visit the site again.... Just set up your networking options as shown above. That's it. Absolutely nothing else has to be done.

(I don't know what scan you actually did but just ignore it)