Internet connection question!

[Bigtwin]

As of the last month or so, my internet has been a PITA!
I keep getting "DNS server not responding". I can turn off my router and turn it back on, with mild success! Some times I have to do it several times to connect, other times I give up and wait until the next day.

I have EarthLink as a dsl supplier and have had my router since around 2006.
When it works (most of the time it does) it is plenty fast and without issue.

But the issue as of late is frustrating! I am not a PC guy and have little knowledge of computer related stuff!
Could the router be needing replacement? Is it just too old for the computer and internet?

My PC is only a year and a half old. Running windows 7.

Thanks to any help available!

[norman311]

http://support.earthlink.net/articles/dsl/solving-dsl-connection-problems.php

If you rule out some of these obvious steps I'd call them. They might be able to run a diagnosis remotely to see if there is an issue.

Here's another page on the Earthlink DSL modems.. very technical stuff but good to read thru before you call. http://www.dslreports.com/faq/earthlink/40_Hardware

[Bastard]

have you added or changed anything recently? are you wired or wireless? are you running anything else with the router, switch, access point or anything.

they will fight it but my first guess would be that you may need a new router & will have to call them

[Bigtwin]

Thanks to both of you for the info.
Bastard, I installed a wireless unit about 8 months ago. But my PC is wired, the only reason for adding the wireless unit was for the wifes Kindle.

So I have the router that EarthLink sent me and the wireless hooked up. I installed the wireless the way the instructions said. Again that was 8 months ago and the problem came up in the last month or so.

[FreshTapCoke]

If you're familiar, see if the wireless router is setup for earthlinks DNS servers. It might be their DNS servers that are crapping out.

Try google or GTE's public ones as a test 8.8.8.8 and 4.2.2.1
(yes GTE is gone but I will forever incorrectly call it that)


Just read you're not a computer person. The DNS server is responsible for translating www.google.com into an IP address like 72.56.218.47, which is how internet communication really works. Usually an ISP will set you up to use their own DNS server but they might be having server reliability problems. Turning your router on and off is probably just incidental to their DNS server managing to respond.

DNS servers all globally share the same translation records, so you can usually plug in someone else's instead as a test, just like swapping out magazines on your 1911 to narrow down a feed problem.

[mjc]

Move the cable from the router and straight into the computer and see if that helps, I t will help diagnose a bad router. Move cable and restart your computer.

[jeremyy]

I personally like OpenDNS but here is a good list, http://theos.in/windows-xp/free-fast...s-server-list/

Timewarner had huge DNS issues I dont think earthlink would have the same problem.

Id say your router or modem is the POS like your dropping a connection.

I would call and get new hardware, your paying for it already.

[Jason95357]

Use Google DNS at 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4. Do not use Level3's DNS (4.2.2.1-6) as it could filter you at any time as you are not their customer.

[Jimmy Deuce]

As the others mentioned I would start by changing your DNS settings(server). There are many other DNS servers you can use other than the default DNS your service provider has you currently using (Verizon, Google, etc). If you are running a Windows Operating System this is a fairly simple process. I would start by changing the DNS on one computer first. This will probably be the easiest and cheapest way to start trouble shooting your issue. If you change the DNS on one computer and there is no more issue than you have most likely solved the issue. You can then change your DNS in the router so all the computers connected to said router will use the same DNS. This is providing you have the operating system set to obtain DNS server address automatically. After this if the issue continues then I would look into changing out hardware(modem and or router). No need to change out and spend money on hardware if the problem is network\service based.