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"Resolving host"

Our ISP here at home is PlusNet. Our router is a Tenda 300D, and we use Google Chrome and Safari as browsers. All of that worked perfectly for years.

A couple of weeks ago, however, we found that for long periods each day we were unable here at home to get online. The error-message that Chrome provided was "Resolving host."

We carried out the steps advised on the technical sites and by PlusNet to cure the trouble, but nothing made any difference.

By the beginning of this week, we could not get online here at home for even a single minute, even though our computers have throughout worked perfectly in this respect when we have been away from home.

Yesterday, we suddenly found that the trouble had vanished, and we have been online more-or-less continuously since.

What could possibly be the cause of this ? Do we need to change ISP ?
 
Sounds like the DNS server was offline/ not answering correctly, you were using the plusnet default??

You could try configuring your system to use Google or OpenDNS.

Yeah, ditch plusnet, pay a bit more, and use an ISP where the tech actually HELP.
 
Sounds like the DNS server was offline/ not answering correctly, you were using the plusnet default??

You could try configuring your system to use Google or OpenDNS.

Yeah, ditch plusnet, pay a bit more, and use an ISP where the tech actually HELP.

We started with the PlusNet default-settings. I did indeed then try reconfiguring our system using Google or OpenDNS, but neither made any difference.

If we move away from PlusNet, what other provider might I expect to give a better service ? I feel fairly cautions about this, because, until this failure, we had used PlusNet for at least 15 years without incident.

Thank you for coming to my help.
 
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I've never heard of the router make 'Tenda', but if it includes a connection log then it might be worth looking through that to see if any corresponding errors pop up when the issue is occurring.

The problem you have described can be caused by all sorts of issues and computer peculiarities', so if possible it's always wise to try and rule your own hardware / software out first by testing with a different router and then wired as well as wireless links.

For example I once had a similar problem and the cause turned out to be a little piece of driver / software that got installed with Apple iTunes, which screwed up how MS Windows was handling DHCP requests. On the other hand it can also be caused by firewall / anti-virus conflicts, corrupt files, router MTU settings.. all sorts of things really.

But equally it could be a fault with your ISP, so as I say the first thing to do is to try and rule your own kit out.
 
I've never heard of the router make 'Tenda',
A few years ago, it was a widely-sold routher here in England.

but if it includes a connection log then it might be worth looking through that to see if any corresponding errors pop up when the issue is occurring.
If it does include such a log, I cannot find it.

The problem you have described can be caused by all sorts of issues and computer peculiarities', so if possible it's always wise to try and rule your own hardware / software out first by testing with a different router and then wired as well as wireless links.

Every day, we use 3 Apple notebooks, using both OSX (different versions) and IOS, and using both Chrome and Safari. All 3 computers work perfectly elsewhere on other routers. However, I shall try to see if I can try another notebook with this router.

But equally it could be a fault with your ISP, so as I say the first thing to do is to try and rule your own kit out.
Is there any means of testing the broadband connexion ?

Thank you for helping me.
 
This could well be a DNS issue as Mark suggested earlier on, however we've not had any problems with our DNS servers recently that may cause this issue.

If you have any problems again I'd suggest getting in touch with our support team so we can test the line and check your connection logs to see what's happening.

Chris
 
The test I would run would be:

Set OpenDNS as your DNS settings on your computer:
https://support.opendns.com/entries/36904770-Configuration-for-Windows-computers
https://support.opendns.com/entries/38038694-Apple-OSX-Mavericks-10-9-

If the problem goes away then your router is having trouble with its internal DNS server.

If the problem continues then it is likely your router is having a problem or your connection to the exchange (or cabinet) is failing. Plusnet should be able to look at the logs for your line and determine if you have an unstable connection to their service.

Also - Are you on wifi?
Things like microwave ovens, wireless CCTV systems, wireless TV extenders and very badly made wireless game controllers can interfere with wifi depending on your distance from the router.

Test with a computer plugged directly into the router using a network cable.

Tom - www.mouselike.org
 
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Tenda are still around, a Japanese outfit if I remember correctly, although almost certainly made in China these days!!!

I seem to recall a similar fault message recurring over and over when I was with BT, many years ago, it was caused by the exchange line equipment being faulty. It would TEST as working, but constantly fail to actually let any real data through.
An engineer only spotted it by accident, his test equipment was plugged in and claiming everything was fine, but he noticed the data LED was solid and not blinking as it should

Once the fault was identified, the BT engineer used to come out and do a "Windows" on it about every 14-18 months (hard reboot/reset), as it wasnt BAD enough to get it changed - only my line was being affected, and not all the time.

The bummer was it always took BT 4-6 days to send him out.
 
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