halp! i need my gCal!

March 25, 2008 8:41 PM

I am using a Macbook running Tiger. Suddenly, I cannot access any Google websites using Firefox or Safari. Umm...

The only thing I can figure is that I upgraded a security patch today that included an update to Safari. Otherwise, I'm out of ideas.

I'm in Virginia, if that helps.

Thanks in advance.

posted by 4ster to computers & internet (8 answers total)

Something that specific could be a DNS issue. Try going to http://64.233.187.99 in either browser.
posted by nathan_teske at 8:44 PM on March 25, 2008

nathan_teske, that worked!
posted by 4ster at 8:45 PM on March 25, 2008

Now what?
posted by 4ster at 8:49 PM on March 25, 2008

Your provider's DNS is not working, probably .

Change your DNS server to something big and safe, like 4.2.2.1. (Verizon)

(System Prefs > Network > DNS Server.)

Close Prefs, restart Firefox, try again.
posted by rokusan at 8:53 PM on March 25, 2008

My first guess is that your ISP or whomever is supplying your DNS has a problem. In the meantime, you can try OpenDNS to get around the problem. OpenDNS does have some critics but, at the very least, switching over to their DNS servers for testing will at least let you prove to your ISP that, yes, the problem is them.
posted by nathan_teske at 8:56 PM on March 25, 2008

That fixed it. Thanks so much.
posted by 4ster at 9:01 PM on March 25, 2008

To make this post more useful for future generations of people with hosed connections who somehow manage to claw their way into the AskMe archives, OpenDNS' DNS servers are at 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220. Use them together, use them in peace.
posted by mumkin at 9:45 PM on March 25, 2008

OpenDNS is a privacy nightmare. Use at your own risk.

From http://www.opendns.com/privacy:
OpenDNS collects non-personally-identifying information including the sort that web browsers and servers typically make available, such as the browser type, language preference, referring site, and the date and time of each visitor request.

OpenDNS also collects potentially personally-identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses of website visitors and IP addresses from which DNS requests are made.

OpenDNS discloses potentially personally-identifying and personally-identifying information only to those of its employees, contractors and affiliated organizations that (i) need to know that information in order to process it on OpenDNS’s behalf or to provide services available at OpenDNS’s websites and services, and (ii) that have agreed not to disclose it to others. Some of those employees, contractors and affiliated organizations may be located outside of your home country; by using OpenDNS’s websites, you consent to the transfer of such information to them.

OpenDNS may change its Privacy Policy from time to time, and in OpenDNS’s sole discretion. OpenDNS encourages visitors to frequently check this page for any changes to its Privacy Policy. If changes are made, notice will be given in the OpenDNS blog at http://blog.opendns.com/. Your continued use of our sites and services after any change in this Privacy Policy will constitute your acceptance of such change.
posted by gen at 6:59 AM on March 26, 2008