Internet problems

[wb]

Every now and then, and this is getting more and more frequent, my internet goes down.

BUT, when I check my LAN connection, it shows everything as fine, and shows that the broadband connection is feeding through???

When I go to a webpage, I just get the 'this page cannot be displayed' page.

I have tried everything, such as checking all cables, re-booting etc. Im never sure when it is going to do it. It was gone for about an hour, but now it is fine again.

Is there anything else I can check when it happens?

[MarcusMel]

A web page is a file stored on a computer. If that file is deleted or the filename gets changed or the computer it is stored on gets turned off for a while then you can't access that file.

Links to files need constant updates as webpages change so the message you get is quite common and probably has nothing to do with your system.

[MarcusMel]

Alternative posiblities are to do with your router password and your provider or just your provider.

[wb]

But it wont access any page when it goes down. Even ones that dont change their name - www.win2win.co.uk for example. I click on this every day, and it uses the same address everytime

As you say, perhaps it is something to do with the ISP

thanks

[GlosRFC]

Simple answer...your ISP keeps losing its record of the DNS server database.

This essentially is a look-up table so when you type win2win into your browser, it converts that domain name into the server address 66.147.238.53 and goes off in search of it.

[MarcusMel]

If you are useing XP try the following.

Start/run type CMD.

a window with a lot of black appears and you will have a c:> prompt with a cursor.

Type "tracert www.win2win.co.uk" without the quote marks
or ping www.bbc.co.uk

a series of numbers should appear telling you the names of the routers your message passes through to get to the web site and how long it takes.

If there is a server down you will get time outs. You can then phone the ISP and tell them about the problem.

[wb]

Sorry glos, but I was just using win2win as an example.

It wont open any page when it happens.

I have tried favourites, typing adresses in the bar, links etc. and no web page will open. Yet my LAN setting are fine

Then, all of a sudden, (usually after about a half hour) it is fine, and I can open pages as normal

[GlosRFC]

And I was using win2win as an example. The DNS will contain the IP addresses of every domain name so, if it's down, you won't be able to access anything. It's like the index of a big book..if the index is missing, you can't find the page you're looking for, whether that's win2win, BBC, Granny Smith's Porn Emporium, or Betfair.

As Marcus says, a tracert will confirm that the DNS server is down.

[wb]

As Marcus says, a tracert will confirm that the DNS server is down.

How is this done?

[MarcusMel]

I should add that to close the black looking window typing exit is the recomened method :D

[wb]

sorry marcus, you posted that while I was typing. Ignore my last post.


Thanks guys

[GlosRFC]

Marcus did explain but here goes again:

Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Command Prompt.
When the window opens, type tracert (domain name) and press enter, e.g. tracert win2win.co.uk
You'll be shown the route it takes from your ISP to the domain. Don't worry too much about the odd timeout, that usually means there's a firewall in the way. But if you get a lot of timeouts or a message to the effect that the domain name isn't recognised, then that means a server is faulty somewhere.

The closer that timeout is to the top of the list (within the first 3 hops), the more likely it is that your ISP is at fault. If it's in the middle of the list, (about 4-6 hops) then that suggests one of the big gateways is down. If it's at the end of the list (i.e. 7 or more hops), then that suggests the remote server with the physical page on is down.

You can also send a packet of info to the domain to see if it's listening.
Type ping (domain name) e.g. ping win2win.co.uk and it will tell you how quickly the remote server responds. If you don't get a response, then something is broken between you and them.

[GlosRFC]

I should add that to close the black looking window typing exit is the recomened method :D

Hmmmm...makes you wonder why they put that big X in the top right-hand corner :wink

[MarcusMel]

Hmmmm...makes you wonder why they put that big X in the top right-hand corner :wink

You used to get an annoying message or if you start a program running and you try to close the window down you get a message asking if you really want to do that!!!! :D