DNS error

golfcart · 07-10-2003, 10:34 AM

I have a win98 machine here that uses dialup. This guy installed a "speed booster" program on it. He decided that it wasn't helping so he deleted the folder. He does not remember the exact name of the program. Anyways, this thing can no longer resolve DNS. Here are some things I have tried with no luck:

Reinstall windows on top of itself

Remove TCP/IP and reinstall

Repair Internet Explorer

Set static DNS servers

Ran SFC and replaced all changed files

None of these have worked. Any ideas of anything else I can try to fix it without formatting? Thanks in advance

JimG · 07-10-2003, 12:00 PM

Well, this guy sounds like someone I know here, but since you're in Michigan, it's not the same person, perhaps a cousin though.

Ok, highly dumb question, since you reinstalled windows, but I'll ask anyway: What's the host file look like? Maybe that speedbooster program added something and that's what's screwing his DNS.
More likely: Since he deleted the folder (instead of add/remove), you have some registry keys that are left over and causing the problem. If he just deleted the folder, the program should still show under add/remove programs, at least I think it should. Obviously it can't remove itself, but you'd know what to search for in the registry.
I don't think Windows can overwrite those keys, in which case they'd still be there.

golfcart · 07-10-2003, 01:29 PM

Thanks for the ideas Jim, nothing strange at all in the add/remove programs box. I'm cannot find any trace of it. He said he clicked 'ok' on a popup and it started to install it. He has called me for the third time now asking why it was taking so long and kind of had an attitude so he is now the proud owner of a complete format

It is ok with him, but I always like to try to save the data. Oh well.

DVNT1 · 07-10-2003, 04:26 PM

You could use NSLOOKUP to help troubleshoot the DNS problems. To start with, run nslookup in a command prompt window and see if it shows the right DNS server entires.

JimG · 07-11-2003, 07:35 AM

LOL ... oh well, at least he won't ever have this problem again ... until he downloads a new speed booster or some spyware.