Server not found at google.com
May 28, 2008 1:54 AM Subscribe
Server not found at google.com - I get this message several times per day (and not just google - it can be any site) Its been going on for at least 6 months and its driving me nuts.
What happens is that I'll put in a url or click on a link in google and I will get the FF 'Server not found' message, if I refresh a few times then eventually the site will come up. It doesn't happen every time, but enough to be very annoying and frustrating.
It only happens on my laptop though, it doesn't happen on my PC or my boyfriend's PC. My laptop is a dell latitude D520 with an Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG, the router is a NetGear RangeMax and its running the latest firmware. I've updated my Intel Pro Wireless drivers a couple of times but it hasn't fixed the problem.
Both my PC and Laptop are on Win XP Pro, the PCs are both wired into the router, the Laptop is on wireless.
What happens is that I'll put in a url or click on a link in google and I will get the FF 'Server not found' message, if I refresh a few times then eventually the site will come up. It doesn't happen every time, but enough to be very annoying and frustrating.
It only happens on my laptop though, it doesn't happen on my PC or my boyfriend's PC. My laptop is a dell latitude D520 with an Intel Pro Wireless 3945ABG, the router is a NetGear RangeMax and its running the latest firmware. I've updated my Intel Pro Wireless drivers a couple of times but it hasn't fixed the problem.
Both my PC and Laptop are on Win XP Pro, the PCs are both wired into the router, the Laptop is on wireless.
What you are describing definitely sounds like a DNS problem, although it is odd that your laptop is the only machine that does it...
Depending on how computer-savy you are, you could try configuring your wireless network card to manually use your ISP's DNS servers rather than using your router as the DNS (which is probably what it is doing if the router is using DHCP to automatically assign settings to your laptop).
I'm running a Mac, so I can't give specific instructions on how to set up XP's DNS settings, but I'm sure someone else can do it... :)
posted by ranglin at 2:48 AM on May 28, 2008
Depending on how computer-savy you are, you could try configuring your wireless network card to manually use your ISP's DNS servers rather than using your router as the DNS (which is probably what it is doing if the router is using DHCP to automatically assign settings to your laptop).
I'm running a Mac, so I can't give specific instructions on how to set up XP's DNS settings, but I'm sure someone else can do it... :)
posted by ranglin at 2:48 AM on May 28, 2008
Do you have adblocking software installed?
Other than a DNS problem with your ISP, do you use a proxy (say if you're at a university or within a corporate office)?
posted by long haired lover from liverpool at 2:53 AM on May 28, 2008
Other than a DNS problem with your ISP, do you use a proxy (say if you're at a university or within a corporate office)?
posted by long haired lover from liverpool at 2:53 AM on May 28, 2008
Response by poster: I know how to change DNS settings but I don't know what to change it to. How would I find out my ISPs DNS servers?
I use adblock plus but the problem does happen in IE too.
posted by missmagenta at 3:15 AM on May 28, 2008
I use adblock plus but the problem does happen in IE too.
posted by missmagenta at 3:15 AM on May 28, 2008
Best answer: I found my ISP DNS to be unreliable at times. If you go into your advanced TCP/IP settings, try adding these two to the list, maybe move them up to the top. They're OpenDNS servers I think.
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
posted by hungrysquirrels at 4:00 AM on May 28, 2008
208.67.222.222
208.67.220.220
posted by hungrysquirrels at 4:00 AM on May 28, 2008
Best answer: Be aware that if you decide to use OpenDNS's servers, you are subject to some possibly questionable practices. Another option is to search for alternate DNS servers on the forum for your ISP at Broadband Reports.
posted by Diggins at 7:44 AM on May 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Diggins at 7:44 AM on May 28, 2008 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the heads-up on the search page thing, my ISP wasn't listed on that site but I did manage to find some alternative dns servers that don't give me a search page.
posted by missmagenta at 9:02 AM on May 28, 2008
posted by missmagenta at 9:02 AM on May 28, 2008
Your router will pull DNS from your ISP automatically. You can find these IPs by logging into your router. I always use my router IP as my DNS since the router is already configured. If I suspect a DNS issue or I'm out somewhere where I need a DNS server, I always use 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2 (they're Verizon DNS servers, easy to remember, and FWIW they have a lower latency than the previously mentioned OpenDNS servers for me).
posted by Kupo? at 9:14 AM on May 28, 2008
posted by Kupo? at 9:14 AM on May 28, 2008
Response by poster: I always use 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2
Those are the ones I'm currently using ;)
posted by missmagenta at 10:59 AM on May 28, 2008
Those are the ones I'm currently using ;)
posted by missmagenta at 10:59 AM on May 28, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by paulsc at 2:22 AM on May 28, 2008