Client PCs have difficulty browsing Host fine, Dial-up ICS

[Guest]

I work for a small museum which relies on donated equipment and donated
dial-up ISP. So currently we have 5 pcs(Win 98SE and XP Pro) networked
sharing a Dial up connection through the modem of the host computer (XP
Pro). Lately we have had problems browsing and sending/receiving emails. It
is a frequent, but as far as I can tell, random occurance. When you type in
a URL, click a link, or try to send/receive email, it many times cannot find
the server with client computers(site not found error) It usually takes the
computer only a second or two to determine it cannot find the site. A
refresh or retype etc, will eventually get you where you need to be.

This happens at random, it doesnt matter if it is the first url or the
fifth, nor does it matter what site you go to, (although some of the more
complex sites it will often half load) nor how long you have been idle or
active. I estimate it happens about half the time. (For example this is
about the third time I have tried to post this message)

The dial up connection is connected, and the host computer does not have any
problems browsing. I have tried getting rid of malware, I have even bypassed
the hubs and directly connected just one client to the host via crossover
cable, but with no changes of frequency. Sharing files or printers does not
seem to be a problem, and there is no problem printing from the network
printer, and pinging results in no packet loss.

Can anyone think of anything else I could try? Thanks

 

[Chuck]

I work for a small museum which relies on donated equipment and donated
dial-up ISP. So currently we have 5 pcs(Win 98SE and XP Pro) networked
sharing a Dial up connection through the modem of the host computer (XP
Pro). Lately we have had problems browsing and sending/receiving emails. It
is a frequent, but as far as I can tell, random occurance. When you type in
a URL, click a link, or try to send/receive email, it many times cannot find
the server with client computers(site not found error) It usually takes the
computer only a second or two to determine it cannot find the site. A
refresh or retype etc, will eventually get you where you need to be.

This happens at random, it doesnt matter if it is the first url or the
fifth, nor does it matter what site you go to, (although some of the more
complex sites it will often half load) nor how long you have been idle or
active. I estimate it happens about half the time. (For example this is
about the third time I have tried to post this message)

The dial up connection is connected, and the host computer does not have any
problems browsing. I have tried getting rid of malware, I have even bypassed
the hubs and directly connected just one client to the host via crossover
cable, but with no changes of frequency. Sharing files or printers does not
seem to be a problem, and there is no problem printing from the network
printer, and pinging results in no packet loss.

Can anyone think of anything else I could try? Thanks

If the host has no problem with the same URLs, I'd bet the MTU setting is the
problem.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html

Also, check the DNS server settings in "ipconfig /all", compare host and
clients.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

 

[Guest]

If the host has no problem with the same URLs, I'd bet the MTU setting is the
problem.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/06/internet-connectivity-problems-caused.html

Also, check the DNS server settings in "ipconfig /all", compare host and
clients.
<http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html>
http://nitecruzr.blogspot.com/2005/05/reading-ipconfig-and-diagnosing.html

Thanks but i am still having problems. I tried setting the MTU on the
client pc to 1472 (determined by series of pings) to no avail.

I have been comparing the IP configs from client and host, I dont see
anything wrong, but I am not exactly sure what I should be comparing. the
client is using the server as its DHCP server, beyond that I am not sure for
what I should be looking.

Thanks TJ