Domain Name Won't "Resolve"...sometimes

[Gade Terbob]

This thread can be replied to by either admin types, or normal people who sleep at night. The ticket response I've recieved from AOH has been exemplary. I just don't think that it is a "hosting" problem.

I have a problem that has been giving me fits since last fall. The url Portable Storage (http://www.portablestorageofwesttexas.com) won't resolve all the time. When it is not "resolving", I get all kinds of errors from Outlook Express The host 'mail.portablestorageofwesttexas.com' could not be found. Please verify that you have entered the server name correctly. Account: 'mail.portablestorageofwesttexas.com', Server: 'mail.portablestorageofwesttexas.com', Protocol: POP3, Port: 110, Secure(SSL): No, Socket Error: 11001, Error Number: 0x800CCC0D to the standard IE 6 error: "Cannot find server or DNS Error
Internet Explorer "

Here's what I'm using:
Windows ME
IE6
ZoneAlarm Pro
Norton AV (current with paid sub.)

Here's what I've done:
Added ISP's DNS IP's to ZoneAlarm's "Trusted" IP list
Added LAN's IP's (10.0.0.0 and 10.0.0.10) to ZoneAlarm's "Trusted" IP list
Checked and domain name server is sending valid "A" record, sometimes slowly.
Neither Tracert nor Ping will work with url, but they both work well with the IP address. Browser always works with IP.

Frankly, I'm beginning to suspect the little, local ISP that I'm using. When I hit it with the anonimiser, the url shows fine (most of the time). The problem comes and goes, and I'm about to tear out what little hair I have left. (look under white hat in avatar)

[admin]

As usual, there are no problems accessing it for me. When you are having the problem, see if you can ping the server by IP address. You might also change the mail server name in OE to the IP rather than the name. That will make it easier to determine if it is a dns problem or if the server is unreachable.

[Gade Terbob]

The syntax for that would be:

66.96.211.34:~accountname

??

[admin]

When specifying a mail server you only need to use the IP address. No special url is required

[Gade Terbob]

Done!! But wouldn't you know.... The url is resolving in the browser now. But I'll bet this fixes the OE error.

Ping and Tracert with IP always works.

Thanks!!!

[admin]

let me know how it goes

[Bison]

I had the same problem with one of my domains and discovered that it was a problem with my ISP's DNS servers. I went into the network settings in Windows and changed the DNS servers to the DNS of another ISP and it worked fine. I use Cox Cable but changed my DNS server to another ISP.

Maybe you could be having the same problem?

[Bytes U]

I agree with Bison. I had similar problems a few years ago and using an alternate DNS lookup corrected the problem immediately.

[Gade Terbob]

#1. How does the "hosts" file effect any of this?
#2. Since I got the dns ip's from my provider, how would one go about getting another provider's dns IP's? Just for troubleshooting, of course.

[Bison]

Gade,

#1 - Not sure what you mean

#2 - To get the IP's I just search Google for pages with "DNS IPs." Which version of Windows are you using? I'll send you instructions for changing the IPs.

[Gade Terbob]

#1. Referred to: AOH hosts.sam thread (http://www.support-forums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=337&highlight=hosts.sam)

#2. I did what you suggested and I now have two other dns numbers. Will it hurt to have a total of four? Or should I remove the first two? What values should go in the "hosts" and "domain boxes? I've figured out how to "adjust network settings"....barely.

Rhetorical On
Does anyone else miss the simplicity of editing a config.sys file with edlin? Or perhaps the permanent nature of fixes applied thusly?
Rhetorical Off

I'm thinking about going to a desktop version of Linux. Can't be much worse.....

[Bison]

Originally posted by Gade Terbob

Will it hurt to have a total of four? Or should I remove the first two?



No, it won't hurt anything. I have 6 listed.

Originally posted by Gade Terbob

What values should go in the "hosts" and "domain boxes"?



I'm not sure where you see that say I'm not sure what to tell you there.

[Gade Terbob]

Bison and Bytes U,
I believe your fix may have solved the problem. At least it has worked for the last 24 hours. We'll see what tomorrow may bring.

[Gade Terbob]

This problem continues to vex my soul. It is so ephemeral (irregular and occasional) that it is very difficult to diagnose. The problem certainly began with the install of an adsl modem, a year ago last month!

Update:
WinXP Pro sp1
Outlook 2000
ZoneAlarm Pro w/sub
NAV 2004 w/sub

Is this output from nslookup normal?
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>nslookup homeatlastfarms.net
*** Can't find server name for address 10.0.0.2: Non-existent domain
*** Default servers are not available
Server: UnKnown
Address: 10.0.0.2

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: homeatlastfarms.net
Address: 207.218.248.33

The IP 10.0.0.2 is the address of the modem itself. Why is it reporting "Non-authoritative answer"?

[Gade Terbob]

Added ISP's name servers **AGAIN** and here's what I get now:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>nslookup homeatlastfarms.net
Server: admin.taylortel.net
Address: 205.240.64.132

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: homeatlastfarms.net
Address: 207.218.248.33


Does this look better to anyone who should know???