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Geek Culture / strange problem connecting to the Internet - any ideas?

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 12:21
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A few weeks ago we had problems connecting to the internet from any of our machines. We reported the problems to BT who first of all did various checks on our machines and hub to confirm that the problem wasn't at our end (I was fairly sure it wasn't but it could have been). It was finally agreed that there was in fact a problem on the phone company's network and the problem was resolved over the next day or so.

However, ever since then I cannot consistently connect to the internet from our main desktop - it can take several refreshes before the machine can successfully connect to a web page. The same thing happens with email using Outlook Express. The main machine connects to the hub using an ethernet connection whereas the two laptops have a wireless connection and work fine.

When the tests were being done by BT they changed a network/internet setting on my main machine - but didn't restore it to it's original value. I challenged them about this at the time but they said everything would be alright. It wasn't of course ( ) - and I don't recall what exactly was changed or where it is in the various locations for options and settings . I've contacted them about this and haven't received any useful help at all. I vaguely recall something to do with caching being changed but can't now find it. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
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Phaelax
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 12:43 Edited at: 3rd May 2011 12:48
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I always find it funny when you tell them none of the 6 computers in the house can access the Internet and they still insist it's a PC-related issue.

Quote: "they said everything would be alright."

This is why they're never allowed to touch my computers.


Did they change network settings? Or browser settings in IE? I wonder if they messed with the DNS settings at all. If you go into your network properties, check the settings in the tcp/ip and see if they match up to what your laptop says. Without knowing your setup I can only guess, but I'd assume (in most cases) you just want everything set to automatic (IP and DNS)

You could also try disabling your current lan connection and creating a new one which will initialize with default settings.

I'd be easier if I could play around on your machine for a few minutes. I'm trying to thing of something cache related.

I don't know but maybe you could try clearing the dns cache? "ipconfig /flushdns"

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 12:59
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Quote: "This is why they're never allowed to touch my computers."


I agree but I had no other way of convincing them that their network was the problem.

Quote: "Did they change network settings? Or browser settings in IE?"


I'm fairly sure they messed about with both. I suspect the problem is a network setting but can't now find one that looks familiar (since I couldn't connect I made the changes myself during the phone call following their suggestions so I might recognize the offending page).

Quote: "If you go into your network properties, check the settings in the tcp/ip and see if they match up to what your laptop says."


That sounds like the properties that I can't locate. Where are they? The problem machine is using Vista Home Premium, the laptops are XP and Windows 7.

Quote: "I'd be easier if I could play around on your machine for a few minutes. I'm trying to thing of something cache related."


Indeed. I could be wrong about "cache" being involved though. I think things might be clearer when I locate the correct set of properties.
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Van B
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 13:29
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The DNS cache can often screw things up, but I think that's more likely if you have a complex network, like if you have a domain and server network then DNS can get confused, causing issues like this.

I think the first port of call should always be those connection settings though. Open up control panel, and find your network connections, your lan connection, then check the properties for a screen that looks like this:



Double click that TCP/iPV4 entry, and check your network settings - it'll either be set to values that should relate directly to your network - or as is usually the case with home PC's, just set to automatic on IP and DNS. If the DNS server has been specified, then that would explain a lot, because your router might have changed details since those were entered. The BT 'geniuses' might have set the DNS server manually to suit your connection. I would make sure these are both set to automatic then do a reboot and see how she goes.

Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 15:26
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Quote: "just set to automatic on IP and DNS. If the DNS server has been specified"


Spot on VanB!! Thanks. That seems to have fixed things and everything loads cleanly first time now so far.

The delay in replying was caused by (1) a power outage for routine maintenance on the mains supply just as I was about to test your suggestion (), (2) consulting with builders working on our property.

Now had a quiet moment with everything up and running.

Looks good so far.

Thanks again.
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Van B
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Posted: 3rd May 2011 20:35
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Cool - BT did to your computer, what they did to Kris Marshall's career.

Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
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Phaelax
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Posted: 4th May 2011 23:46
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Quote: "Spot on VanB!! Thanks. That seems to have fixed things and everything loads cleanly first time now so far."

Oh sure, I suggest it first, Van gets the credit cause he used pictures....


Vote for Phaelax!

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MrValentine
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Posted: 8th May 2011 08:40
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same here

took me 4 months to convince BT (business not consumer/home) that it was my phone line outside my building that was at fault for my dreaded not so peachy line, when I used to have a fab connection, and I was right, though they sent an incompetent fool round to test the line with his little machine which from going to CISCO Networking studies has told me, they are only 5% of the leg work... and are a 50/50 testing tool. he also arrived un scheduled, i did not know he was coming so was not home when he was there to gruel him (now remember or learn now, those prancy guys going round the country in BT OPENREACH vans are the usual tom joe and bob, its a franchise business you can buy a van yourself from bt and start next week if you want...) eventually after he had gone (my partner was home to opent he door I was at college learning CISCO ... oh the IRONY) and he removed all the sockets left a gaping hole and didnt do much really, a few days later got my bill from bt £149... yeah right, called them got it taken off and viola got them to come round a month later and for once I was here and gruelled like a bulldoggy and got him to look at the box outside the terraced building, alll fixed now ^^

phew we should start a thread in geek culture ^your stories with BT lol and any other ISP related stories^ you never know passing on our experiences might come up with a solution thread for what to inform others to say to their ISP and LINE management

my five billion cents there

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