IFG Not opening on my Computer

[timmy]

I have been bedeviled by this problem for years. The issue seems to be that ISPs don't like to upgrade their DNS servers, I suppose because the bean counters consider them cost centers rather than revenue centers. For the consumer, the issue isn't counting beans, it is lousy service. This has been my experience with every ISP I've used.

I had a list of DNS servers (one can easily compile such a list with a little internet searching) and found I needed to keep alternating them. Probably the best ones were L3: 4.2.2.1 - 4.2.2.2 - 4.2.2.3 - 4.2.2.4

I have a small farm of systems, which includes a pair of Macs, and a couple of PCs that regularly access the internet. Tied to my router is a second router (has the ATA for my internet phone line) and an Airport Express for guests who bring a laptop.

Anyway, the way I finally solved this problem is this:

I have a small HP P3 PC that is almost like a laptop. It runs all the time because it is connected to an old-fashioned modem and screens all of my incoming calls. If a calling number is blocked for any reason, this PC will intercept the call and play a disconnect recording. Over the years, I have added every calling pest and there are hundreds of blocked numbers in the data base now.

So, I have a copy of W2K server and I loaded it on this machine and turned on DNS services. Then, I pointed all the systems on my LAN to this PC. Since the W2K DNS is caching, once a query has been resolved, I can then resolve those DNS queries at home without needing to worry about whether someone's DNS is overloaded.

Most of my surfing comes back to the same pages, and the few that don't are stored for the next time.

I've noticed that this speeds the loading of pages considerably!

I will note that IFG is not the fastest site to load, but it normally isn't so slow that it is objectionable.

[xl_target]

Timmy,
Novel approach. I considered building my own DNS server. I have a copy of Win2K server around here somewhere but the wife was complaining about the number of computers littering my computer area so I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

[Ticky]

@Subaldas:

I tried what you asked me to do. That is "ping -t 203.92.35.224" at the command prompt on both my comps and here are the results:

Laptop:
packets: Sent=59, Received=59, Lost=0 (0%loss)
Approximate round trip in milliseconds:
Minimum=87ms, Maximum=293ms, Average=222ms

Desktop:
packets: Sent=32, Received=32, Lost=0 (0%loss)
Approximate round trip in milliseconds:
Minimum=84ms, Maximum=86ms, Average=85ms

If you are saying BSNL is all crap, then which service provider do you suggest?

[Subal das]

Subal and GM,

Thanks for the assistance. I replaced my router at home and this problem seems to have gone away.

I also got new router recently and rather go for consumers type model I got professional router used by ISP mainly here. TP-LINK TL-WA5210G. What a huge difference!! internal 12dbi anthena high power and power via ethernet, weatherprove. you can provide internet to all your neighbors or switch for indoor use. 3 modes: client - works as external WIFI adapter, access point without router, in case if you have another router and access point with router. made in China and cost only 3500/-

modern days home's equipment becoming very complex these days. I have my notebook with Backtrack Linux 4 (best OS period), then Netbook for downloads and storage, then Gaming comp for games, plus 3 wireless devices. And few virtual machines. If it will keep increasing in few years I will retire.

-- Sat Jul 09, 2011 6:58 pm --

@Subaldas:

I tried what you asked me to do. That is "ping -t 203.92.35.224" at the command prompt on both my comps and here are the results:

Laptop:
packets: Sent=59, Received=59, Lost=0 (0%loss)
Approximate round trip in milliseconds:
Minimum=87ms, Maximum=293ms, Average=222ms

Desktop:
packets: Sent=32, Received=32, Lost=0 (0%loss)
Approximate round trip in milliseconds:
Minimum=84ms, Maximum=86ms, Average=85ms

If you are saying BSNL is all crap, then which service provider do you suggest?

go for Airtell cheaper faster and no problems, also you will get phone too.

[timmy]

Timmy,
Novel approach. I considered building my own DNS server. I have a copy of Win2K server around here somewhere but the wife was complaining about the number of computers littering my computer area so I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

I have my notebook with Backtrack Linux 4 (best OS period)...

With W2k, all you have to do is turn on the service:

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/con ... er/5819265

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/libr ... 42582.aspx

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/167234

The tech republic article pretty much lays out what needs to be done.

I would prefer to do a Linux solution, for sure, even tho my UNIX/Linux skills are rudimentary. However, the thing that mitigates against using this solution is that I already have the phone screening program running on a W2K machine, and I want to limit the number of machines I have running all the time.

One of these days, I need to make up a Visio diagram of my home network...

I have a desk that is more like one of those writing tables. Underneath, in the back, I put one of those expanded metal shelves used for closets and have the switch, cable modem, 2 routers, printer server, power supplies, etch all mounted under the desk so the wiring isn't running all over the place.



The system that does the DNS is behind the flat screen on the right. The pic does not show 3 PCs under the desk now, or Gail's iMac in the den. There's also an old system for diagnosing the OBD in the cars in the garage, a P4 in the bedroom, and Gail's little notebook for work. BTW, the large box on the far right is a Compaq Proliant with 4 x 200MHz Pentium Pros and 2 GB of memory -- pretty outdated, but the beast can still do some amazing tricks. However, to have it running is like sitting inside of a vacuum cleaner and running it can't be tolerated in the summer months.

I still have 5 other motherboards up in the closet -- I wanted to do a "cluster computing" project with them someday. As long as it stays in this room, I can pretty much do what I want, since Gail's sewing and crafts in the next room is no better.

[xl_target]

I would prefer to do a Linux solution, for sure, even tho my UNIX/Linux skills are rudimentary. However, the thing that mitigates against using this solution is that I already have the phone screening program running on a W2K machine, and I want to limit the number of machines I have running all the time.

If you ever want to try Linux and don't want to use the command line, you can try Ubuntu. It is capable of running from a bootable DVD or CD and is totally GUI based. Its a free download and if you run it from the disk, you don't have to change anything on your PC's. You don't even have to install it. It worth giving it a try. It comes with the basic apps you need to access and use the internet, like a browser and email reader. You can also get a total Office suite called Open Office that is fully MSOffice compatible for it. All for free. I have it on several PC's which are set up to dual boot Ubuntu and a Windows OS.

[goodboy_mentor]

The tech republic article pretty much lays out what needs to be done.

One does not need to run a seperate machine for DNS server. Almost every broadband router has a DNS server running inside it. One can enter the router GUI and configure the DNS server either as caching-only DNS forwarder or exclusive mode.

[timmy]

Almost every broadband router has a DNS server running inside it.

Unfortunately, My Netgear RP614v4 does not have this capability.

If you ever want to try Linux and don't want to use the command line, you can try Ubuntu.

XL, that is a thought, thanks for this tip. I currently run VMWare Fusion on my iMac, with Windows 7 running on that as a virtual machine. I have an older version of Red Hat that I've been meaning to load as a virtual machine as well, but I think I'll try Ubuntu as you suggest, just to play around a bit.

You can also get a total Office suite called Open Office that is fully MSOffice compatible for it.

I do run Open Office on my Mac. Trouble with it is, I've found that it isn't exactly compatible with M$ Office. I have a close friend who does scientific research, for whom I often do rewrites and proof reading. I get docs in Office (she's also running Office on an iMac) and the formatting is often not sufficiently rendered in Open Office for my purposes. So, I end up using my ancient Office X Word to do the job, and OS X's textedit works pretty well as a reader. The thing with Word is that it takes a year and a day to load. It's simply not very good software. As an old-time FrameMaker user, it's awfully tough to swallow having to use Word "because everyone else does."

Also, I've found that the spreadsheet function in Open Office acts dodgy, as well. Formatting from Excel is often not right, and this is not using very advanced forumlas, either.

I still use Open Office because I have a strong personal bias against M$, but there's some of it that just isn't working for my needs, however much I wish that it might.

[Subal das]

you are right timmy Open Office still buggy and I still have to find any other good program for spreadsheets.

Backtrack based on ubuntu and much faster and more secure OS. you can also run live CD/DVD from usb pen drive, install from Windows simple download ISO ubuntu or BAcktrack and run it with unetbootin.

another linuxes I used - Liberte, hardened and very anonymous, run from usb with easy. smallest linux - slitaz, not great graphic but 30 mb only and very fast and stable OS, great to run on old PC.

[choombak]

I am still experiencing this problem of IFG behaving erratic - the browser or the OS does not matter (I've tried with IE, FF, Chrome, Linux, Windows, etc, etc.). The name resolution (DNS) happens correct, and the browser just sits at "Sent request. Awaiting response...", and nothing comes back. It was not working in the morning, now around 1.30pm IST it is fine.

[Ticky]

WALLA! Got the BSNL people to reconfigure my modem settings and IFG is back working on my comps. Thank you all for your concern and advice.

[goodboy_mentor]

Did you note what "changes" the BSNL people made to your modem? Asking just for knowledge.

[Mark]

I find this to be an interesting thread because I recently started running Ubuntu on 2 computers here- one a desktop and one a netbook. For some strange reason I had a devil of a time getting logged on from the desktop, finally have managed to do it by deleting all board cookies and going into security and deleting the saved password setting, even though it was correct.

I've really had no issues with Ubuntu, other that using it for windows-specific programs but there is an application called "Wine" that will usually run windows programs acceptably. For a netbook I find it works great.

-- Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:54 am --

Oh, one more thing- I usually use firefox but Opera has a "turbo" mode that is optimized for slower connections, you might want to try using that for a few days to see if it is faster for you.

[Priyan]

I'm having the same problem too. I have installed Ubuntu on my laptop in duel boot mode and I got Win XP on my desktop. Sometimes I can't access IFG from Ubuntu but I can perfectly open it from Windows. I'm on BSNL 117 Ip range. I think BSNL's routing table is messed up. I had a thread going on in ubuntuforums which can be found here http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1790680 but I stopped after all they said was to change the MTU and changing it to any value didn't solve any problem. BTW the most funny reply I got there was apt-get install traceroute and one even told me not to use TOR. Haha no open source hating but their community is filled with normal users instead of good coders and experienced ones.
BTW anyone who's having the same problem I request you to post a wget report and a traceroute to IGF. (tracepath for Linux and tracert for Windows)
If nothing solves the problem I'll set a proxy up for you guys (Don't get exited, only allowed destination will be indiansforguns.com) also can you guys open https:// pages?

EDIT: Speaking third party of DNS servers, Using Google public DNS or OpenDNS didn't fix the problem for me. All they did was to slow my DNS query since their servers in USA. I'd advice against using OpenDNS or Google Public DNS if you're not in USA.
If you're in India use these DNS servers
203.145.184.13
203.145.184.32
These are Airtel's DNS server but works from all connections.

-- Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:43 pm --

WALLA! Got the BSNL people to reconfigure my modem settings and IFG is back working on my comps. Thank you all for your concern and advice.

How did you contact them? I can't find any ways to contact them, Not even a single user guide came with my broadband connection. Just the modem, filter and the cables. I mailed them but never got any reply.

-- Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:46 pm --

I would prefer to do a Linux solution, for sure, even tho my UNIX/Linux skills are rudimentary. However, the thing that mitigates against using this solution is that I already have the phone screening program running on a W2K machine, and I want to limit the number of machines I have running all the time.

If you ever want to try Linux and don't want to use the command line, you can try Ubuntu. It is capable of running from a bootable DVD or CD and is totally GUI based. Its a free download and if you run it from the disk, you don't have to change anything on your PC's. You don't even have to install it. It worth giving it a try. It comes with the basic apps you need to access and use the internet, like a browser and email reader. You can also get a total Office suite called Open Office that is fully MSOffice compatible for it. All for free. I have it on several PC's which are set up to dual boot Ubuntu and a Windows OS.

I think Linux Mint would be better for new users.

[goodboy_mentor]

Sometimes I can't access IFG from Ubuntu but I can perfectly open it from Windows. I'm on BSNL 117 Ip range. I think BSNL's routing table is messed up.

It cannot be a BSNL's routing table problem since you are able to access from Windows and not from Ubuntu. Rather it seems to be a Ubuntu problem.

Large MTUs do cause problems with many websites like yahoo etc. Personally I have experience fixing these problems by adjusting the MTU. Search for "MTU problems" and "Path MTU discovery" in google without inverted commas.

If ICMP is blocked on any of the routers in the path, the traceroute will show no reply from those routers. It does not necessarily mean that the router is down.