Windows 7 - DNS server not responding for my PC alone

Factual Questions
1

I have been getting this issue for a couple of weeks now; whenever I start my computer and go into Windows 7 (64-bit), most of my Internet-based applications work (MSN, for instance), but I couldn’t surf to any website because the DNS server is not responding.

I share the connection with two other laptops (used by others) and they have no issue. I usually have to wait for a few minutes while refreshing the page before somehow the problem mysteriously rectify itself.

Anyone have any insight?

2

Try to flushdns

Open command prompt in admin mode

run without the quotes “ipconfig /flushdns” than “ipconfig /registerdns” also I would manually change your DNS servers either on your router or computer to OpenDNS or Google’s

3

Do you have local DNS settings set? Or is it all DHCP? This looks very much like you have an incorrect primary DNS. The reason that it works in the end would be that Windows gives up on your primary DNS and switches to the secondary.

4

Try Google DNS:

5

I am using the automatic settings which is to acquire a DNS server automatically. I will need to go back home to check what DHCP settings it is using.

Thanks to all for suggesting OpenDNS. Will give it a shot.

6

Do you have IP6 enabled on the network interface? Odds are MS installed and enabled it, and you don’t use it because your ISP doesn’t. Turn it off, in case Win7 gives it priority.

Also, work your way through the sequence.
>ipconfig /all <-- will tell you your DNS settings. Are they correct? Do you have any?
Then ping the DNS values. Does that work? Can you ping them?
(If the packets don’t reach the DNS, that can be a problem)
If you can ping, something odd is definitely happening. Check your WIndows firwall, turn it off temporarility to see if that helps.

If you cannot ping the DNS - can you ping anywhere? The general internet?
try pinging your home router (usually 192.168.0.1). Can you get to its management web page?

Some home routers can be used as the DNS server and pass the values through, so maybe you can set DNS to your router’s IP address to see if that works. Some even have a ping utility built into their “diagnostics” web page to test connectivity. Does your router status say “connected”? Can you ping the DNS server from there?

The real question is - what specifically is “not working” - IP in general, IP outside your home network, the DNS service, etc.