I have a 4 port Alcatel speedtouch ADSL modem. Two computers have
performed faultlessly in the past. I want to add a 3rd computer but am
having DNS resolution problems intermittently. I have tried 3
different additional computers (an extra 2 borrowed)with 3 different
operating systems. I have switched cables and modem ports. The problem
remains consistently inconsistent(!). It is ALWAYS possible to ping an
internet address (eg. 144.135.18.32). It is always possible to ping
computers on the LAN by name or address. However the new computer
(whichever one) can only intermittently resolve Internet names. That
is, the computer will, from time to time, find web pages or the POP
server then - completely at random - fail for a time to be able to do
this, then come good again. Sometimes everything comes good for a
period following a restart but sometimes not. The original computers
which have been operating fine for some time continue to do so. I have
taken one of the 3 "new" computers to another LAN where it performed
faultlessly for 24 hours. There seems to be absolutely no logical
explanation for this, but if a researcher can provide some useful
infomation which will assist us to solve the problem, I will consider
the question answered and will be happy to pay.

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 19 Apr 2005 22:40 PDT

Howdy bellboy-ga,

Does the other LAN that you have tried also use the same model of 4 port
Alcatel speedtouch ADSL modem?  Thanks!

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by bellboy-ga on 19 Apr 2005 23:53 PDT

The Short answer is *No* It is a different modem!  Thanks from bellboy

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 20 Apr 2005 11:45 PDT

Howdy bellboy!

Occam's razor (also known as Ockham's razor or the law of parsimony) as
defined by the (unrelated to Google Answers) Answers.com web site, states:
http://www.answers.com/occam%27s+razor&r=67

"... the simplest of two competing theories is to be preferred."

Let's reduce the theory to the one thing is associated with the problem
at all times, the Alcatel modem.  Granted, it could be something upstream
from the Alcatel modem, but I don't think so.  Even though the following
article from the "myNetWatchman" web site might be referencing another
model, etc. than yours, it does show there can be intermittent problems
with Alcatel modems.
http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/2000/06/26002.htm

"This problem likely affects a small percentage of Alcatel modem users
(e.g. < 1%), namely, those connected to ADSL lines that are subject to
highly variable noise patterns."

You could try updating your modem's firmware and see if that clears up
the problem, or you could switch to a new or different modem.  If you
can, go to a store with a good return policy, buy a new ADSL modem, and
see if that clears up the problem.  This is, at least, the next logical
step in the diagnosing your problem.

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

If I were in your shoes (glad I'm not by the way) I'd use nslookup
(Windows command prompt utility) or a similar utility to see what I
could and couldn't resolve when the problem is occuring.  The tool
will also let you name the DNS server you wish to have perform the
resolution and can help with these sorts of issues.  Have you tried
setting static DNS TCP/IP settings on the new computer intead of
dynamic?  Have you tried pointing the new computer to a differnt DNS
server?  Can you ping the DNS server when the resolution problem is
occuring?  Are you using an internal or external DNS server?  I assume
you've swapped the actual conection points for the CAT-5 cables on the
back of the modem just in case it's a hardware problem.  I'm just
throwing out anything that comes to mind because I don't know what
you've already tried.  Good luck.