Dialup/Modem problems

[Palustris]

We cannot have either line based nor Mobile network Broadband (too far from the Exchange and in a Dead spot for a Dongle). We are using Vista and usually Mozilla Firefox as a Browser.
We have an internal Modem. The problem is that we are getting a very inconsistent connection. Whenever we go to any site, even our Home page, more often than not we get a message saying Address Cannot be Found. Then when we do get to the site and try accessing pages within we oten get a Connection Interrupted message. Also at other times nothing happens at all. Task manager shows that the connection exisits but that it is doin nothing, just sitting there, so to speak. Disconnection and reconnecting kick starts the process, until it either comes up with an error message or freezes again. Even more frustrating is that the Modem disconnects altogether every now and then, even in the middle of loading up a page.
The Computer reports that the Modem is working properly.
Help for a technical dummy, please! (Besides moving house!).

[Buenchico]

This is a fairly common problem, both with dial-up and broadband. The cause seems to be a registry problem which affects your PC's ability to properly connect with your ISP's DNS (= "domain name server").

The domain name server is the computer which converts user-friendly URLs, (such as www.google.com) into true 'logical addresses' (such as 74.125.45.100, which is Google's 'real' address).

A few people have found that the only way to fix the problem is to use the repair disk, in an effortto fix the registry error. But the following simpler method seems to work for most people:

First, find out the primary and secondary DNS addresses used by your ISP. (Don't panic! That might sound complicated but they're just a couple of sets of numbers, such as 194.72.6.57). If you're with one of the UK's big ISPs, the information you require will be here
http://www.idl.uk.com/email/isp_settings.htm
and/or here:
http://www.kitz.co.uk/isp/dns.htm

Then follow the instructions here but, when you get to Section 6, substitute the primary and secondary DNS addresses for your own ISP (from the above links), rather than the PlusNet ones which are shown on this page:
http://www.plus.net/support/domains_and_dns/dn s/changing_dns_vista.shtml

Chris

[Palustris]

Thanks Chris. We had to Email the ISP to find out the DNS numbers and changed them as suggested. This does not seem to have made any difference to the problem. It is very frustrating believe me.

[Palustris]

HI Chris. Just been back to Network management and the thing has reverted to the Computer finding the DNS numbers automatically. The ones sent by my ISP now come up as Invalid numbers. Have Emailed them again and I will report what happens. Thanks again for your effort.

[Palustris]

Great stuff. I had an Email from our ISP with some DNS numbers, entered them as suggsted in the link you sent, guess what : They are Invalid numbers. So any suggestions as to what to do next?