page not found

[owner2]

I am having trouble with a lot of internet sites, but not all. I get so far with some sites and usually when I click on a link for more info (eg about a name on a family history site) it takes about 5 mins then comes back with "page cannot be found" . Did this on hotmail too and I was unable to post a message on yahoo groups. But some sites work fine. I have reset all the internet options to default. Don't have a firewall except the one that comes with XP. Anyone any ideas??

[Hippy]

It is possible that your DNS (Domain Name Server) settings have become corrupt or your specified server is down, or your ISP is not supplying them correctly if you have opted to let it supply this. The IP address for this setting should be for a public Domain Name Server so that, for example when you or a link requests, say, http:/www.theanswerbank.co.uk the Domain Name Server returns the IP address of 213.219.43.11. Try entering http://213.219.43.11 into your address bar and see what comes up! The Internet only really understands IP addresses, so the human names have to be translated.

OK, how to change or check this. You have to be in an Administrator account or and account with Administrator privileges. Click on Start - Settings - Network and Dial Up Connections (or access this from Control Panel) Find the connection that you use, if there are more than one, and right click the icon. Now select Properties. Select "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" in the window, then click the Properties button. The lower part of the following dialogue concerns your selection of DNS addresses.

If not greyed out there will be an addresses in the first line. Write this down so you can put it back if required later. If greyed out, select the button marked "Use the following DNS server addresses" then enter a known good DNS address in the first box. Try 194.72.9.34 this is one of the BT ones. As a secondary address (computer will try this if first one doesn't work) try 194.168.4.100 this is a Virgin DNS. "Ok" your way back, close any browser windows and re-establish the connection and see if you have an improvement. Sorry to sound so technical, but this has solved so many similar problems in the past.

[owner2]

Thanks Hippy - I'll give it a go and let you know if it works.

[owner2]

Hi Hippy - didn't work I'm afraid. I think it's something along those lines though. Thanks anyway, O2.