Can't access some websites, but can others.

I've been having some issues with connecting to the internet the last few days. Orange refuse to help because I am not using their router (basically it broke and I bought my own replacement). They are also denying that it's their problem despite a neighbour a few doors down from me also with Orange and also has the exact same problem for the last few days.

I can sometimes access certain websites and sometimes not. Examples are Amazon, BBC News, Facebook, etc. Sometimes it will let me in, sometimes it wont. Yesterday it would let me into Amazon. Today it won't. Vice versa with BBC News. Can't get into Facebook today, but yesterday I could. Same with this website on and off the last few days when I have been trying to look at it.

It's also really slow. And some websites are only loading basic information. Where there should be pictures I am getting a box with a red cross in it.

Trying to play games like World of Warcraft is a complete no-no. Won't even let me passed the login screen.

Like I said, a neighbour with Orange has also had the same problem for a few days. Is there anything I can do to get Orange to look into this?

Sounds like DNS. What DNS servers are you using?

Thanks for replying.

How do I check what DNS servers I am using?

Open a command prompt, type IPCONFIG /ALL and look for your network adaptor in the output. The DNS servers are listed there.

If you're using your router as a DNS server, got to your router settings and see what DNS servers it's using.

For DNS server it says: 192.168.2.1

Hope thats the right thing

In reply to a post by Mews22:

How do I check what DNS servers I am using?

Look inside the router. Which one are you using?

If your Orange router is broken, they should replace it FOC.

In what way can't you access some websites? Does it come up with "Page not found" or time out? Then it is probably a DNS issue.

The boxes with red crosses are nothing to do with Orange. They are most likely broken links on the website you are on.

The OP has his DNS set in his router more likely than on the PC.

I am using a Belkin router.

It comes up with "Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage". It's really inconsistent though. Like right now I am connected to Facebook and Youtube with no problems. But it won't let me in BBC News or Amazon or Ebay. Earlier though it was letting me in BBC News no problem.

The boxes with the red crosses I am getting frequently on sites like BBC News (when I get connected to it), and sometimes Ebay as well.

As I said, a relative a few doors down who is also with Orange has been getting the exact same problems the last few days also.

Presumably, that's your router (and gateway) address.

Log onto your router at 192.168.2.1 and see what DNS servers it's using.

Post the URL of the page you are getting with boxes with the red crosses, when you can get it, and we will see if we get them too.

Sorry about the delay in replying. Just shortly after posting my last comment, I haven't been able to access this site for the rest of the day.

The only thing I can see under DNS is blank and has a box ticked under "automatic from ISP".

A couple of the pages I have been getting like that frequently today are BBC News and dailymail.co.uk (picked them as examples as they are both quite heavy in picture content).

Best thing is to set your PC to use other DNS servers to see if that fixes it.

What operating system - XP? 7?

7.

Some additional information. A friend of mine today suggested I do a tracert www.bbc.co.uk when I couldn't access their site.

This is the information I got. He seems to think it's a problem with Orange...but I have no idea.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Mews>tracert bbc.co.uk

Tracing route to bbc.co.uk [212.58.241.131]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.2.1
2 9 ms 9 ms 22 ms 217.47.211.122
3 * * * Request timed out.
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 23 ms 23 ms 24 ms 213.1.79.14
6 23 ms 23 ms 80 ms 87.237.20.244
7 27 ms 35 ms 35 ms bundle-ether1.lontr1.London.opentransit.net [193
.251.255.101]
8 23 ms 23 ms 24 ms telia-1.GW.opentransit.net [193.251.251.38]
9 * * * Request timed out.
10 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms ldn-b3-link.telia.net [80.91.251.237]
11 24 ms 24 ms 23 ms siemens-ic-119241-ldn-b2.c.telia.net [213.248.10
4.70]
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 24 ms 24 ms 25 ms virtual-vip-231.thdo.bbc.co.uk [212.58.241.131]


Trace complete.

C:\Users\Mews>

1. Click the Start Orb, then select Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on Local Area Connection under 'View Your Active Networks' on the RH.
4. Click the Properties button.
5. Highlight 'Internet Protocol Version 4' and click Properties.
6. Click the radio button 'Use the following DNS server addresses:' and type in 8.8.8.8 in the Preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 in the Alternate DNS server fields.
7. Click OK button, then the Close button, then Close again. Finally, close the Network and Sharing Center window.

See the pictures here https://store.opendns.com/setup/operatingsystem/wind...

To undo the changes, repeat the above but in 6. select 'Obtain DNS server address automatically'

Edited by deleted (Sun 20-Nov-11 00:11:45)

Ok tried that thanks. Is it best to re-boot before I try to get into anything else now?

No, it will just work (or not)

It seemed to accept it ok. But 2 sites I still can't get into since are BBC news and goodreads.com.

Open a command prompt and enter: nslookup bbc.co.uk

What does it say for Server: Address: ?

Nothing wrong with that tracert.

Use OpenDNS in your router by unticking "automatic from ISP" and entering 208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220 in the boxes. Or use Google DNSs as given elsewhere. See if that improves matters. ISPs own DNSs are sometimes prone to faults.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Mews>nslookup bbc.co.uk
Server: google-public-dns-a.google.com
Address: 8.8.8.8

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: bbc.co.uk
Address: 212.58.241.131


C:\Users\Mews>

It has just let me in BBC News.

Not getting anything on either goodreads.com or amazon.co.uk though...just coming up with "internet explorer cannot display the web page"

Good, you changed it successfuly.

Now in a command prompt enter: IPCONFIG /flushdns

Ok done that...getting this now.

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Mews>IPCONFIG/flushdns

Windows IP Configuration

Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

C:\Users\Mews>

That may work now, if not a PC reboot should fix it.

Ok thanks...I'll give the re-boot a go.

Thanks again for the help guys (sorry couldn't get back into the site again last night).

Tried both the suggestions, but still having problems.

One site I can't get into this morning is Amazon.co.uk.

Tried one of those tracert things again. Does this still look fine?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Mews>Tracert www.amazon.co.uk

Tracing route to www.amazon.co.uk [178.236.6.39]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.2.1
2 10 ms 10 ms 21 ms 217.47.211.122
3 * * * Request timed out.
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 * * * Request timed out.
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 22 ms 23 ms 23 ms 87.237.20.244
8 27 ms 28 ms 27 ms bundle-ether1.lontr1.London.opentransit.net [193
.251.255.101]
9 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms telia.GW.opentransit.net [193.251.251.22]
10 24 ms 24 ms 23 ms ldn-bb1-link.telia.net [80.91.249.179]
11 36 ms 36 ms 36 ms dln-b2-link.telia.net [213.155.133.1]
12 * * * Request timed out.
13 * * * Request timed out.
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 * * * Request timed out.
27 * * * Request timed out.
28 * * * Request timed out.
29 * * * Request timed out.
30 * * * Request timed out.

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Mews>Tracert www.amazon.co.uk

I get a weird traceroute to Amazon too. What does a tracert bbc.co.uk look like now?

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7601]
Copyright (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

C:\Users\Mews>Tracert bbc.co.uk

Tracing route to bbc.co.uk [212.58.241.131]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms 192.168.2.1
2 10 ms 9 ms 10 ms 217.47.211.122
3 * * * Request timed out.
4 * * * Request timed out.
5 * * * Request timed out.
6 * * * Request timed out.
7 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms 87.237.20.244
8 23 ms 27 ms 27 ms bundle-ether1.lontr1.London.opentransit.net [193
.251.255.101]
9 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms telia-1.GW.opentransit.net [193.251.251.38]
10 * * * Request timed out.
11 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms ldn-b3-link.telia.net [213.155.133.31]
12 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms siemens-ic-119241-ldn-b2.c.telia.net [213.248.10
4.70]
13 23 ms 23 ms 23 ms 212.58.238.137
14 * * * Request timed out.
15 * * * Request timed out.
16 * * * Request timed out.
17 * * * Request timed out.
18 * * * Request timed out.
19 * * * Request timed out.
20 * * * Request timed out.
21 * * * Request timed out.
22 * * * Request timed out.
23 * * * Request timed out.
24 * * * Request timed out.
25 * * * Request timed out.
26 * * * Request timed out.
27 * * * Request timed out.
28 * * * Request timed out.
29 * * * Request timed out.
30 * * * Request timed out.

Trace complete.

C:\Users\Mews>

That's for BBC...although I am getting into their site this morning. Not sure if any of it is relevant or not. It's just a friend got me to do it yesterday for some of the sites I couldn't get into and he seemed to think it was a problem with my ISP. I really have no clue though.

It's odd.
As far as I'm concerned you've ruled out DNS.

Have you powered the router off/on recently?

Not since last night.

I'd try that as well. But then I'm out of ideas.
Good luck

No problem. Thanks for all your help

In reply to a post by Mews22:

I've been having some issues with connecting to the internet the last few days. Orange refuse to help because I am not using their router (basically it broke and I bought my own replacement). They are also denying that it's their problem despite a neighbour a few doors down from me also with Orange and also has the exact same problem for the last few days.

I can sometimes access certain websites and sometimes not. Examples are Amazon, BBC News, Facebook, etc. Sometimes it will let me in, sometimes it wont. Yesterday it would let me into Amazon. Today it won't. Vice versa with BBC News. Can't get into Facebook today, but yesterday I could. Same with this website on and off the last few days when I have been trying to look at it.

It's also really slow. And some websites are only loading basic information. Where there should be pictures I am getting a box with a red cross in it.

Trying to play games like World of Warcraft is a complete no-no. Won't even let me passed the login screen.

Like I said, a neighbour with Orange has also had the same problem for a few days. Is there anything I can do to get Orange to look into this?

Hi, contact Orange for a new router to replace your faulty Orange router.

When I could not access certain websites I found it was because the router MTU was not set correct.

My Orange Netgear DGN1000 Router Settings.
To access your Netgear DGN1000 router settings, in your browser address bar type http://192.168.0.1
then press Enter.

Username: admin
Password: password

Basic Settings
Does Your Internet Connection Require a Login: Yes

Encapsulation: PPPoA (PPP over ATM)

Login:
Password:

Idle Timeout (In Minutes): 0

Internet IP Address.
Get Dynamically From ISP: yes

Domain Name Server (DNS) Address.
Get Automatically From ISP: Yes

NAT (Network Address Translation): Enable

ADSL Settings
Multiplexing Method: VC-BASED
VPI: 0
VCI: 38
DSL Mode: ADSL2+

WAN Setup
Connect Automatically, as Required: Yes

MTU Size (in bytes): 1492

http://help.orange.co.uk/orangeuk/support/personal/4...

http://support.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/1...

Edited by deleted (Sun 20-Nov-11 12:44:33)

In reply to a post by Mews22:

Tried both the suggestions, but still having problems.

Where had you set the DNS when this was done? Not a good idea to have them set in both Router & PC.

Amazon is not a good site to ping/tracert; it never responds. Always use bbc.co.uk for these tests.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

In reply to a post by Mews22:

Tried both the suggestions, but still having problems.

Where had you set the DNS when this was done? Not a good idea to have them set in both Router & PC.

I opened an internet page and used 192.168.2.1 to get access to the router set-up and changed it in there.

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Not a good idea to have them set in both Router & PC.

It does not really matter as long as you remember what you did so don't get confused in the future, that is, it won't harm anything - if you set on PC then Windows directly asks the DNS server and doesn't ask your router for name lookups - if you set in router but leave PC on DHCP then the router acts as a DNS proxy and uses the configured DNS server as a forwarder, the PC still has router IP as DNS server, alternatively it will pass that DNS server IP on through DHCP.

What is easy to forget is that web browsers themselves as well as the routers can cache lookups so doing an ipconfig /flushdns does not guarantee a fresh lookup will occur on the newly configured DNS server.

I would leave the router DNS alone really and put it back to automatic, openDNS is a farce anyway.

I suggest using Gibson DNS benchmark to stress test the DNS configuration which should show up transient DNS problems.

Edited by Pipexer (Sun 20-Nov-11 18:40:03)

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

as long as you remember what you did so don't get confused in the future

That's exactly why I say it's not a good idea. I wasn't implying that the computers can get confused, but the user can.

Putting DNS in the router alone is best when you have more than 1 device connecting; keeps everything in 1 place.

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

In reply to a post by XRaySpeX:

Not a good idea to have them set in both Router & PC.

It does not really matter as long as you remember what you did so don't get confused in the future, that is, it won't harm anything - if you set on PC then Windows directly asks the DNS server and doesn't ask your router for name lookups - if you set in router but leave PC on DHCP then the router acts as a DNS proxy and uses the configured DNS server as a forwarder, the PC still has router IP as DNS server, alternatively it will pass that DNS server IP on through DHCP.

What is easy to forget is that web browsers themselves as well as the routers can cache lookups so doing an ipconfig /flushdns does not guarantee a fresh lookup will occur on the newly configured DNS server.

I would leave the router DNS alone really and put it back to automatic, openDNS is a farce anyway.

Not sure if you actually read the thread, but the OP used Google DNS.

I did but for some reason when I typed the post I was thinking openDNS even though I know full well 8.8.8.8 is google DNS. Google DNS is a farce too so scope of mistake limited

Why on earth someone would use OpenDNS or GoogleDNS as opposed to their ISPs is beyond me. If their ISP can't provide a good DNS server, they should not be with that ISP.

PS a bit of trivia for you the reason I definately know the GoogleDNS IPs is that Draytek router firmware has google DNS hardcoded into it on bootup till it gets DNS information from the ISP! Wouldn't have a clue what OpenDNS IPs are

Edited by Pipexer (Sun 20-Nov-11 20:15:36)

Wow, public DNS servers are a farce. Funny, I've always found the opposite.

GoogleDNS is just jumping on the bandwagon because they saw OpenDNS was getting a lot of use and felt left out that they didn't have their fingers in the pie.

Why people want to use OpenDNS when it redirects to advertisements and also censors lookups, like above, is beyond me.

Edited by Pipexer (Sun 20-Nov-11 20:24:59)

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

Not sure if you actually read the thread, but the OP used Google DNS.

To put my spoon in, OP actually said he used "both" without making it clear whether he meant Router/PC or OpenDNS/Google or both combinations. He later confirmed that he used Router last but not whose DNS.

He confirmed Google DNS when requested

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

GoogleDNS is just jumping on the bandwagon because they saw OpenDNS was getting a lot of use and felt left out that they didn't have their fingers in the pie.

Why people want to use OpenDNS when it redirects to advertisements and also censors lookups, like above, is beyond me.

Stop back peddling and help sort the OP's problem.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

In reply to a post by Pipexer:

GoogleDNS is just jumping on the bandwagon because they saw OpenDNS was getting a lot of use and felt left out that they didn't have their fingers in the pie.

Why people want to use OpenDNS when it redirects to advertisements and also censors lookups, like above, is beyond me.

Stop back peddling and help sort the OP's problem.

Why am I back peddling? You know full well I don't like OpenDNS nor GoogleDNS based on our previous discussion in Free Chat. Much the same.

Doesn't sound like a DNS issue at all but the GRC tool is always good to play with anyway, and because it performs many rapid lookups it can show up a transient problem.

I'd consider resetting router to factory defaults and reconfigure - providing OP feels up to it (i'm guessing he configured it himself in the first instance), incase something has gone screwy with it.

In reply to a post by BatBoy:

He confirmed Google DNS when requested

Yes, last night when he was following your advice to put DNS in PC. Then, this AM, he confirmed he last put DNS in router following my advice, bur never stated whether or not he also followed my DNS suggestion. But it doesn't really matter, as you pointed out!

Sorry, dunno what you mean. All I know is the OP still has problems.

But this isn't Free Chat! The aim is to help the OP solve his issue. The worth or otherwise of these public DNS is of secondary consideration.

Sorry to cause a fight...lol!

Just to clarify...when I said I tried both suggestions, I meant tried the two suggestions from two different posters. First one to change to 8.8.8.8 & 8.8.4.4 and the second suggestion of 208.67.222.222 & 208.7.220.220.

I've actually tried 2 different routers. My own newish one that's been working fine for a month and one a friend brought over that has been working fine for him (he let me borrow it briefly just to check both routers were getting the same results). I have also asked Orange to send me a replacement free one (since they won't seem to help unless I am using their router).

Just also to confirm....a neighbour a few doors down who is also with Orange has been getting these exact same problems as me also since late Thursday evening (when my problems started).

Just want to say thanks again to everyone who has tried to help

Are you sure that you can't access websites simply because you are momentarily disconnected from the Net? Due to this issue here: http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/freeserve/f/4065230... . Does your router maintain a log so you can confirm?

I've been bugged by it for about 2 weeks. Other reports are starting to come in now and last week. It's been cleared for me for 62 hours now

I've thought about that. But right now I have been unable to connect to Goodreads.com or Amazon.co.uk for about the last 8 or so hours...despite trying about every half hour or so. Been on this site all day though and Ebay.