Strange Network Issue

[dreddfunk]

For some reason, my desktop machine (3700, DFI NF4X Infinity) has developed a very peculiar network issue.

I've got a Netgear MR814v2 router sharing out my DSL connection. For some odd reason, out of the blue, with no settings changes on my part, my desktop (and only the desktop, which is wired) can't browse the internet.

Here's the interesting part: just about every other TCP/IP application I have *can* connect to the internet (Yahoo Messenger, antivirus, windows update). This is an entirely selective issue: the network seems to work perfectly for non-browser TCP/IP applications.

The NIC reports that it is connected, with a valid (private) IP, all the appropriate settings for the default gateway, DNS, etc. Indeed, this makes sense given that all my other applications have no problems. The browser program is irrelevant, both Firefox and IE fail to work.

I've tried rebooting the PC, router and modem in the sequence Netgear recommends but to no avail. I've also tried switching the port on the router to which the PC is connected, but no dice.

Any thoughts? I've been on Netgear's site and it's thoroughly unhelpful.

 

[dreddfunk]

One update: I've pinged a bunch of different servers from the command line and there don't appear to be any problems at all. Most vexing.

 

[redbeard1]

One thing to try would be putting a manual DNS entry in the network card settings.

Spyware can break DNS functions. Have you scanned your system for such things lately?

After a reboot, without getting on the internet, try running ipconfig /displaydns at a cmd prompt. You should only have a few entries. If it displays tons of entries and they aren't related to MSN and Yahoo, something may be connecting in the background.