A Really Weird IE Problem

[Guest]

I have multiple systems (5+) (2000 and XP) each running different versions of
IE. Each of the systems has a "native" IP address and can access the web.
They each also have a unique non-routable address (192.168.x.x). I've a
small web server device (sitting only on a non-routable address) on the
network also. I can successfully ping the device from any of the systems and
on some of the systems I can browse through all of the device's web pages.
But on some of the systems IE give the "DNS error or cannot find server"
error. On the errant systems if I change the home page to being one of the
device's pages then restart IE it will find the home page and load it but
cannot navigate to the web nor any of the device's other pages (same error as
mentioned above). To further compound the problem I wrote a simple program
which connects and downloads all of the device's web pages--this works on any
of the systems. What is going on here and how can I "correct" the errant
systems. BTW: All of the systems are configured identically (with the
exception of the IP address of course).

 

[Robert Aldwinckle]

(cross-post added to XP Networking)

I have multiple systems (5+) (2000 and XP) each running different versions of
IE. Each of the systems has a "native" IP address and can access the web.
They each also have a unique non-routable address (192.168.x.x). I've a
small web server device (sitting only on a non-routable address) on the
network also. I can successfully ping the device from any of the systems and
on some of the systems I can browse through all of the device's web pages.
But on some of the systems IE give the "DNS error or cannot find server"
error. On the errant systems if I change the home page to being one of the
device's pages then restart IE it will find the home page and load it but
cannot navigate to the web nor any of the device's other pages (same error as
mentioned above). To further compound the problem I wrote a simple program
which connects and downloads all of the device's web pages--this works on any
of the systems. What is going on here and how can I "correct" the errant
systems.

Looks like a slow DNS (or possibly spyware)?
I would try tracing the lookups (e.g. using netcap + Ethereal)
and find out what is really happening.

If it is just a slow DNS and you only have a few names to resolve
you could try adding them to the HOSTS file. If it turns out to be
spyware (or some other unexpected proxy) which is interfering the
trace should help clarify that possibility.

BTW: All of the systems are configured identically (with the
exception of the IP address of course).

Until you have eliminated the DNS case I suggest cross-posting
to XP Networking. (Cross-post added.)


HTH

Robert Aldwinckle
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