DNS server addresses? (6 SP2)

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I would like to add alternate DNS server addresses to my (dial up) network connection, under the “Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Settings”. How/where can I get them from, or am I limited to what is provided my ISP? They give out a single address and advice that it can be used for both preferred and alternate DNS server, although only preferred is needed.

The reason I’m after this is that their DNS server has been erratic lately. Sometimes a site I had been at a few minutes ago returns a “Cannot find server or DNS Error” when I try to go back. Another try later works OK again. The ISP support story is that it’s all due to current spate of worms and viruses affecting the internet, and that their DNS server is problem free. I’m a bit sceptical given past experience with their (non)tech support, and would like to find out if the problems disappear with other DNS servers.

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Your ISP would have to give them to you.

DaveA I am so far behind, I think I am First
Genealogy....confusing the dead and annoying the living

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You may get some insight Tim into the real reasons it’s been erratic on some of the ISP forum sites like

How To Keep DNS Errors From Slowing You Down by John Navas from the Navas Group

Broadband Reports
The Navas Group

SMBP

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Thanks, the Turn off unsuccessful (“negative”) DNS caching info sounds like a possible cure. I’ll monitor it for a while to see if things improve at all. If it does prove effective, it will be yet another case of “MS knows best”. In this case, changing the default DNS caching to include failed lookups, as well as the positives, with no (user) options to change it.

Dave, my ISP advises that the single DNS server address they provide works, is all that is needed, and they have no alternates.

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Thanks, the Turn off unsuccessful (“negative”) DNS caching info sounds like a possible cure. I’ll monitor it for a while to see if things improve at all. If it does prove effective, it will be yet another case of “MS knows best”. In this case, changing the default DNS caching to include failed lookups, as well as the positives, with no (user) options to change it.

Dave, my ISP advises that the single DNS server address they provide works, is all that is needed, and they have no alternates.

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You may get some insight Tim into the real reasons it’s been erratic on some of the ISP forum sites like

How To Keep DNS Errors From Slowing You Down by John Navas from the Navas Group

Broadband Reports
The Navas Group

SMBP

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Here is where I got my ‘alternate’ DNS lookup: ORSC Public Access DNS Nameservers from the Open Root Server Confederation – “A project of and for the Internet community”.[indent]

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You can freely use any of these servers instead of your ISP’s nameservers if you want to be able to see ALL the domain names on the net, not just the ones in the US Government controlled nameservers. You will, of course be able to see all the “old” domain names like .com, but you’ll also be able to see all the ORSC new top level domains, too.

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[/indent]I started using DNS addresses listed here when my own ISP’s server was continuously giving me problems, and I’ve been very satisfied with the results.

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Magic! Exactly what I needed. The tip to turn off negative caching did help, but didn’t fully eliminate the erratic behaviour.

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Magic! Exactly what I needed. The tip to turn off negative caching did help, but didn’t fully eliminate the erratic behaviour.

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Here is where I got my ‘alternate’ DNS lookup: ORSC Public Access DNS Nameservers from the Open Root Server Confederation – “A project of and for the Internet community”.[indent]

---

You can freely use any of these servers instead of your ISP’s nameservers if you want to be able to see ALL the domain names on the net, not just the ones in the US Government controlled nameservers. You will, of course be able to see all the “old” domain names like .com, but you’ll also be able to see all the ORSC new top level domains, too.

---

[/indent]I started using DNS addresses listed here when my own ISP’s server was continuously giving me problems, and I’ve been very satisfied with the results.

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