AOL 9 Unable to reolve server

Hi

A customer of mine has had to have her ADSL router replaced a sshe dropped
hers. replaced with same model and one PC connects via ethernet.

her laptop is connected to the new wireless router , but as soon as we sign
on , the error messgae "Unable to resolve dns server" appers.

This is even before the software authenticates. It is as if the software
cant access the router , thouh the sam elaptop can access the router setup
software.

Any clues

Brian

The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE

"Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:kzlVe.1712$(E-Mail Removed) ...
> Hi
>
> A customer of mine has had to have her ADSL router replaced a sshe dropped
> hers. replaced with same model and one PC connects via ethernet.
>
> her laptop is connected to the new wireless router , but as soon as we
> sign on , the error messgae "Unable to resolve dns server" appers.
>
> This is even before the software authenticates. It is as if the software
> cant access the router , thouh the sam elaptop can access the router setup
> software.
>
> Any clues
>
> Brian
>

On 12 Sep 2005 21:44 GMT, "Big Brian" wrote:

>The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE
>
>"Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message

>> A customer of mine has had to have her ADSL router replaced a sshe dropped
>> hers. replaced with same model and one PC connects via ethernet.
>>
>> her laptop is connected to the new wireless router , but as soon as we
>> sign on , the error messgae "Unable to resolve dns server" appers.
>>
>> This is even before the software authenticates. It is as if the software
>> cant access the router , thouh the sam elaptop can access the router setup
>> software.
>>
>> Any clues

Is there a chance the settings on the old (dead) router had it acting as DNS
server, perhaps getting the DNS info from the ISP servers, and the DHCP setup
info from that router would have told the laptop that the IP for DNS lookups
was that of the router... Replacement router, not set up to offer DNS info,
so laptop enquires and instantly fails.... has no alternative IPs to use and
therefore gives the error message you quoted. FWIW, I manually set the IPs
of two DNS, and set the IP of the router as a third (wherever my PCs allow 3
entries) so I use my ISP servers as 'last resort' (I use 1 UK and 1 US entry
in the manual settings). The laptop presumably reaches the router setup via
a fixed (local) IP address anyway, so DNS is not an issue there... Peter M.

--
|
| A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
| Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
| A: Top-posting.
| Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet and in e-mail?

On 12 Sep 2005 21:44 GMT, "Big Brian" wrote:

>The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE

Apologies - just seen this is *AOL* and from recent checks I think they
only specify a single DNS entry (or did, according to the router logs
at a neighbour's connection)... I set the router up with his login
details and he has not tried the AOL software since then - using the
webmail facility to read/send anything, and a normal browser. I have
no knowledge of whether the AOL software would even work if the router
has logged in with the same screen name... Anyway, he won't be with
them for much longer, as he can go from 1000 to 2000 kbps and pay less.


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"poster" <us-(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed). net...
> On 12 Sep 2005 21:44 GMT, "Big Brian" wrote:
>
>>The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE
>>
>>"Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>
>>> A customer of mine has had to have her ADSL router replaced a sshe
>>> dropped
>>> hers. replaced with same model and one PC connects via ethernet.
>>>
>>> her laptop is connected to the new wireless router , but as soon as we
>>> sign on , the error messgae "Unable to resolve dns server" appers.
>>>
>>> This is even before the software authenticates. It is as if the software
>>> cant access the router , thouh the sam elaptop can access the router
>>> setup
>>> software.
>>>
>>> Any clues
>
> Is there a chance the settings on the old (dead) router had it acting as
> DNS
> server, perhaps getting the DNS info from the ISP servers, and the DHCP
> setup
> info from that router would have told the laptop that the IP for DNS
> lookups
> was that of the router... Replacement router, not set up to offer DNS
> info,
> so laptop enquires and instantly fails.... has no alternative IPs to use
> and
> therefore gives the error message you quoted. FWIW, I manually set the
> IPs
> of two DNS, and set the IP of the router as a third (wherever my PCs allow
> 3
> entries) so I use my ISP servers as 'last resort' (I use 1 UK and 1 US
> entry
> in the manual settings). The laptop presumably reaches the router setup
> via
> a fixed (local) IP address anyway, so DNS is not an issue there... Peter
> M.
>
> --
> |
> | A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
> | Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
> | A: Top-posting.
> | Q: What is the most annoying thing on Usenet and in e-mail?

The desktop connected via ethernet is getting a IP address assigned and
works fine. I am thinking more along the lines of AOL issue now.

The origianl router was a plug and go and needed noconfiguring. The wireless
card has always acquired its IP address.

Would a restore back until pre new router days help I wonder

"Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:9FmVe.24093$(E-Mail Removed) k...
> The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE


This is a standard AOL error message. It usually has nothing to do with
DNS servers! If you are using a router, you should be able to access the
net via a browser of your choice without using the AOL software. If you
can't do this, you probably haven't configured the wireless adapter
correctly. Check your IP address - if it starts 169.254, then the
computer is not communicating with the router. If you CAN access web
pages via IE or whatever, but AOL still gives the same error message,
then uninstall the AOL connectivity service, restart the computer, and
you should be fine.

A few more points... you mention a wireless router and an ethernet
connection....Is the PC with the ethernet connection okay? If it is the
there is not an AOL issue (Belive it or not, you can use AOL like a
'normal' ISP via a router). If the ethernet connection is not okay, you
have probably not configured the router correctly. Check the following
settings

Login - (E-Mail Removed)
Password - normal account password -
(Cannot exceed 8 character, and must be lower case letters and number
for a router connection)

Protocol / Encapsulation - PPPoA (VC-based)

VPI - 0
VCI - 38

MTU / MRU = 1400


Finally - Forget about the AOL software until you can access webpages
normally. Also, if it is an AOL supported router, give AOL a call -
their tech support in Glasgow and Waterford are great. No comment about
their Indian call centre though.

Any questions at all, just ask. If you can, include the router model, OS
version etc


George

"George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:dg53g1$e1r$(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> "Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:9FmVe.24093$(E-Mail Removed) k...
>> The exact error message is DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE OR UNREACHABLE
>
>
> This is a standard AOL error message. It usually has nothing to do with
> DNS servers! If you are using a router, you should be able to access the
> net via a browser of your choice without using the AOL software. If you
> can't do this, you probably haven't configured the wireless adapter
> correctly. Check your IP address - if it starts 169.254, then the computer
> is not communicating with the router. If you CAN access web pages via IE
> or whatever, but AOL still gives the same error message, then uninstall
> the AOL connectivity service, restart the computer, and you should be
> fine.
>
> A few more points... you mention a wireless router and an ethernet
> connection....Is the PC with the ethernet connection okay? If it is the
> there is not an AOL issue (Belive it or not, you can use AOL like a
> 'normal' ISP via a router). If the ethernet connection is not okay, you
> have probably not configured the router correctly. Check the following
> settings
>
> Login - (E-Mail Removed)
> Password - normal account password -
> (Cannot exceed 8 character, and must be lower case letters and number for
> a router connection)
>
> Protocol / Encapsulation - PPPoA (VC-based)
>
> VPI - 0
> VCI - 38
>
> MTU / MRU = 1400
>
>
> Finally - Forget about the AOL software until you can access webpages
> normally. Also, if it is an AOL supported router, give AOL a call - their
> tech support in Glasgow and Waterford are great. No comment about their
> Indian call centre though.
>
> Any questions at all, just ask. If you can, include the router model, OS
> version etc
>
>
> George
>

We are connected to the router , as I can configure the router from the
laptop.

the desktop connects via ethernte without a problem.

I havent setup a username/password on the router for dialing out as I dint
have to do that previousley.

I will uninstall the AOL connectivity and the reboot. I assume AOL will try
and reconfigure itself.

Will a restore take me back to pre new roter configuration?

> We are connected to the router , as I can configure the router from
> the laptop.

Can you access web-pages through IE though? If not - this has to be
addressed before looking at the AOL software.

> the desktop connects via ethernte without a problem.
>
> I havent setup a username/password on the router for dialing out as I
> dint have to do that previousley.

If your desktop PC can connect to the Internet, then these are okay -
Although it is very strange you didn't have to set them. (I assume that
you are using AOL via ADSL and not NTL Cable - AOL+Cable+ a router
generally doesn't work!)

> I will uninstall the AOL connectivity and the reboot. I assume AOL
> will try and reconfigure itself.

Yes, that's exactly what it does. When you restart AOL, it will ask you
to add a location. It should detect broadband without any problems.
Also - remember those firewalls. One of them could be blocking an AOL
component.

> Will a restore take me back to pre new roter configuration?

You would be wasting your time. AOL software problems are seldom
resolved by using a System restore. If you CAN access web pages using
IE, and still get the same AOL error, try re-setting the Winsock
catalog - which can be done from the command prompt in XPSP2 - netsh
winsock reset

If you are using another version of Windows, then have a look here -
Apisto knows AOL like no one else!

http://www.apisto.now.nu/

Hope this helps - Let us know how you get on.

George

"George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:dg674g$oq8$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> We are connected to the router , as I can configure the router from the
>> laptop.
>
> Can you access web-pages through IE though? If not - this has to be
> addressed before looking at the AOL software.
>
>> the desktop connects via ethernte without a problem.
>>
>> I havent setup a username/password on the router for dialing out as I
>> dint have to do that previousley.
>
> If your desktop PC can connect to the Internet, then these are okay -
> Although it is very strange you didn't have to set them. (I assume that
> you are using AOL via ADSL and not NTL Cable - AOL+Cable+ a router
> generally doesn't work!)
>
>> I will uninstall the AOL connectivity and the reboot. I assume AOL will
>> try and reconfigure itself.
>
> Yes, that's exactly what it does. When you restart AOL, it will ask you to
> add a location. It should detect broadband without any problems. Also -
> remember those firewalls. One of them could be blocking an AOL component.
>
>> Will a restore take me back to pre new roter configuration?
>
> You would be wasting your time. AOL software problems are seldom resolved
> by using a System restore. If you CAN access web pages using IE, and still
> get the same AOL error, try re-setting the Winsock catalog - which can be
> done from the command prompt in XPSP2 - netsh winsock reset
>
> If you are using another version of Windows, then have a look here -
> Apisto knows AOL like no one else!
>
> http://www.apisto.now.nu/
>
> Hope this helps - Let us know how you get on.
>
> George
>
>
>

Hi , yes , we are accessing via a ADSL/Router

The Desktop works with existing AOL 8 software already installed on taht PC

The Laptop wont connect using existing AOL 9 software on that PC. I will try
and see if I can access web pages via IE

"Big Brian" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:8SyVe.24183$(E-Mail Removed) k...
>
> "George" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:dg674g$oq8$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> We are connected to the router , as I can configure the router from the
>>> laptop.
>>
>> Can you access web-pages through IE though? If not - this has to be
>> addressed before looking at the AOL software.
>>
>>> the desktop connects via ethernte without a problem.
>>>
>>> I havent setup a username/password on the router for dialing out as I
>>> dint have to do that previousley.
>>
>> If your desktop PC can connect to the Internet, then these are okay -
>> Although it is very strange you didn't have to set them. (I assume that
>> you are using AOL via ADSL and not NTL Cable - AOL+Cable+ a router
>> generally doesn't work!)
>>
>>> I will uninstall the AOL connectivity and the reboot. I assume AOL will
>>> try and reconfigure itself.
>>
>> Yes, that's exactly what it does. When you restart AOL, it will ask you
>> to add a location. It should detect broadband without any problems.
>> Also - remember those firewalls. One of them could be blocking an AOL
>> component.
>>
>>> Will a restore take me back to pre new roter configuration?
>>
>> You would be wasting your time. AOL software problems are seldom resolved
>> by using a System restore. If you CAN access web pages using IE, and
>> still get the same AOL error, try re-setting the Winsock catalog - which
>> can be done from the command prompt in XPSP2 - netsh winsock reset
>>
>> If you are using another version of Windows, then have a look here -
>> Apisto knows AOL like no one else!
>>
>> http://www.apisto.now.nu/
>>
>> Hope this helps - Let us know how you get on.
>>
>> George
>>
>>
>>
>
> Hi , yes , we are accessing via a ADSL/Router
>
> The Desktop works with existing AOL 8 software already installed on taht
> PC
>
> The Laptop wont connect using existing AOL 9 software on that PC. I will
> try and see if I can access web pages via IE
>

Ok, been playing for a while this evening and sill no joy.

I am going to try a reinstall of everything on the laptop as I believe
somethimg has gone belly up.

the situation is

PC1 can aonnect using AOL8 software via the router using Ethernet

PC2 can see the router and gets a 192.168.2.65 IP address. we can access the
router setup via the laptop. The AOL9 software just says "trying to access
AOL via TCP/IP" the after 3 seconds give sthe message DNS SERVER UNAVAILABLE
OR UNREACHABLE

My Laptop connect fine using AOL9 software via the same router. So this
points to an issue with the laptop.

Any furter ideas before I burn it