Internet Explorer Cannot find Server or DNS Error

This problem may be due to a number of reasons, some of which are addressed in the following steps.

If you can access another website address, the problems is with the page you were trying to visit and you should contact the site owner directly to pursue the matter.

1. Delete your temporary Internet files and cookies. To do this, follow these steps

Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel

Double-click Internet Options

Click the Temporary Internet Files, click the Settings button

Then click the Delete Cookies button and confirm this decision by clicking Yes at the next prompt

Next click the Delete Files button and confirm this decision by clicking Yes at the next prompt

Click OK to apply these settings

Now shutdown and restart your computer and test your connection to see if this has resolved the problem

2. If you are using any firewall/internet security/proxy software such as Norton or Zone Alarms try temporarily disabling it. This should be done by breaking your Internet connection and then reconnecting and testing on reliable websites such as www.google.co.uk.

If you can see pages with the firewall disabled you will have to investigate your firewall settings with the company who supplied the firewall. If this makes no difference continue with the following steps.

If you are to connect to the Internet using other applications such as Microsoft Outlook Express or MSN Messenger this indicates that your firewall has not been configured correctly.

3. Ensure that you are currently connected to the Internet by running a ping connection test. This can be done by clicking on Start and then Run and then type command (making sure to remove anything else from the field) and then click OK. This will bring up your DOS Window.

Type ping 127.0.0.1 into the black command prompt and then press ENTER on your keyboard. If you receive four replies, go to step 6. If you are not able to ping double-check your connection settings.

4. If you are running Internet Explorer from version 6 onwards some files can become corrupted causing this problem and can be resolved by running a quick repair. In order to establish which version of Internet Explorer you are running click Help and then About Internet Explorer which will display your version number.

5. In order to repair it follow these steps:

Click Start and then Control Panel (or Settings and then Control Panel)

Double click on Add-Remove Programs

Highlight Internet Explorer

Click Change-Remove tab

Select Repair Internet Explorer

Then click OK to confirm this

Once this has been completed restart your computer and then test your connection to see if you can now view webpages.

6. This problem can sometimes come about due to corruption of TCP/IP which can be refreshed or reinstalled depending on your operating system.

If you are running Windows XP you can simply refresh your TCP/IP by clicking on Start then Run and then typing command and then click OK. In the black command prompt type in netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt and then press ENTER on your keyboard. It should return back to a blank line into which you can type exit to close the command prompt.

If you are running any other operating system (Windows 98, ME, 2000), make sure you have your Windows installation CD which came with your computer and then follow these steps to reinstall and configure TCP/IP:

Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.

On the Configuration tab, click Add, click Protocol, and then click Add.

In the Manufacturers box, click Microsoft, in the Network Protocols box, and then click TCP/IP.

Click OK two times, and then click Yes when you are prompted to restart your computer. If you are not prompted to restart your computer, do so manually.

7. You can restore your computer to an earlier date in case something has been corrupted since last time you connected.

NOTE Any updates or software installations you have made since the method for undertaking a system restore will differ depending on your operating system (To determine which operating system you are running click on Start and you will see the name in a blue bar along the left hand side of the Start Menu):

Windows 98 This can only be run in MS-DOS mode so you will have to click on Start then Shut Down and then select Restart in MS-DOS mode. The computer will then start with a black screen with a prompt like C:\WINDOWS> where you must type in scanreg /restore and then press Enter on your keyboard. This will then restore.

Windows ME Click on Start then Programs then Accessories then System Tools and then select System Restore. If you have enabled System Restore in the past this will work otherwise you may receive a message advising that it has been turned off in which case no restore points will have been made. In this case go to Step 7.

Windows 2000 This is not possible in Windows 2000, please go to Step 7.

Windows XP Click on Start then Programs then Accessories then System Tools and then select System Restore. You will then see a Restore Wizard which will prompt you to Restore your computer to an earlier time.

With this option selected click Next. You will then see a calendar with bold dates whenever a restore point had been created. Select a date for a system checkpoint when you were able to view webpages and then click on Next.

Bear in mind you will lose any changes you may have made after this date including new files, software or updates. You can now confirm the System restore by clicking on Next which may take a while to restart your system with the preconfigured settings. Then retest your connection for the ability to view webpages.

8. As a last option you can reinstall Internet Explorer by downloading it from the Microsfoft website.