Silver lineings in the clouds

[PorPorMe]

I know that OpenDNS isn't designed for my setup, just 1 person w/broadband, (Quest) not what you would really call a network, but they sure helped me out. I started to have problems staying on line. Every few hours or so the IP address wouldn't be renewed. I don't know much about networking but I found a couple of ways to fix this for the short term. I could get on Google and research the problem. I found OpenDNS. Sounded like the perfect solution to my problem. It was and more.

I did sweat bullets but reconfigured my modem. That was 3 days ago. OpenDNS Updater checks my IP every hour. I went to DSL reports and saw something I've never seen, download speeds over 1300Kbs. I was always in the low 12's. So, whatever it was that I did to cause the IP problem-the fix (OpenDNS) turned out great!

[Áedán]

DNS only deals with turning a name (like www.aoaforums.com) into an IP address (like 209.85.27.5). This is because computers only actually work with the IP addresses, but human beings find names much easier to remember!

The issues you were having sound outside the scope of simply domain resolution (IE, turning a name into an IP address). DNS issues generally manifest themselves as the inability to connect to a name, but IP addresses work fine. That doesn't help you fix the issue you've seen, but I'd be careful about assuming it was just a DNS issue.

[PorPorMe]

The issues you were having sound outside the scope of simply domain resolution (IE, turning a name into an IP address). DNS issues generally manifest themselves as the inability to connect to a name, but IP addresses work fine. That doesn't help you fix the issue you've seen, but I'd be careful about assuming it was just a DNS issue.

All I know is what the computer told me. My network connections icon would balloon with the message that there was little or no connection. I would bring up the connection and try repair and it could not because it couldn't renew the IP. I would uninstall the Ethernet card & reboot to let windows reinstall it (I'm on Local Area Connection 6) Everything would be fine for a while and then the something again. I have since reconfigured my modem to a static IP (OpenDNS) and everything is working fine, so it not being an IP issue doesn't make sence to me. Then agian, I know very little about this stuff!

[MUff1N]

I've found OpenDNS to be a double edged sword...
Sometimes it great, and other times it just sucks...
I used OpenDNS for quite awhile testing before deciding the bad was the same as the good. So I don't use it anymore.
I just use my regular dynamic IPs assigned by my ISP.

What really made a significant diff on my up/down speeds and packetflow was CableNut Adjuster. (Free)
CableNut Software
With this Windows registry tweaking utility I average 20% faster than my ISP's Caps.
CableNut works with...Vista, XP, 2000 & 98 OS...


CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.

You can make your own "CableNut Custom Setting" files save them for later use, or distribute them to anyone with the CableNut program. Dialup, Cable, DSL, and Satellite connections are supported out of the box. If you don't have one of the supported connection types don't worry you can visit the site, and ask the CableNut team for help. Best of all it is freeware. We don't haggle you with annoying advertisments, banners, time limits, or restrictions.

Just remember that we developed this application to make your Internet go faster, that is what we wanted. This software will support any connection type, and it does work with Windows XP!

[noob]

So you run a connection from your PC to your broadband modem/router, then to the provider?

If so;

The limited or no connectivity issue is between your modem/router and PC.

In NZ we had a similar problem, using a Telecom modem/router and XP SP2, due to dodgy Telecom firmware they borged onto a D-link.

You shouldn't have to use any drivers or software to connect to it, or the net. If you can, reset the modem, turn off DCHP, manually set an IP, and see what happens then.


WARNING - DO NOT DO IF YOUR ISP REQUIRES SPECIAL SOFTWARE IN THE MODEM/ROUTER TO CONNECT

If you have an ISP similar to that one here, you may want to see about flashing the modem/router with the manufacturers BIOS, making sure if DHCP is set you use DHCP on your PC, or use a static IP in both.

This fixed it everytime here.

[PorPorMe]

"So you run a connection from your PC to your broadband modem/router, then to the provider?"
That's right.


Your sugestions are beyond me, besides it's working now so the old adage is "If it ain't broke-don't fix it" Right now, God don't let this jinx it, it's worklng just fine, so I'm not going to change something I have no understanding of whatsoever. Thank you for the feed back, but I don't think so.