URL does not work, only IP addresses in IE

I am no longer able to browse using URLS on IE. However, IE does work if I type the specific IP address.

Any ideas where to look for the culprit? Thanks!

 

coonk--Do you mean that links in webpages do not work?
You have not told us what versions of IE and Windows you use, but this may work for all
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm
You will need your Win CD if you run XP or 2000.

 

Followup

Thanks for the input. No, this is not a links issue.

I am talking about keying in the Address box (www.google.com, etc). If, instead of a URL, I put 64.233.187.99 (google's address), it works.

This is on an XP Home machine, IE 6

 

coonk--Are you using a router?
There was a post on Experts-Exchange with a problem similar to yours.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Q_20932429.html
I do not know if you able to access Experts-Exchange so I reproduce a small portion.
One suggestion (I have not repeated the problem) is
"Your XP machines should probably be using the router as your DNS server. That will elimate the need to contact outside DNS servers. Is your Netgear getting it's DNS information from DHCP? Check in your Netgear's interface what machines it is using for DNS. If it is nothing, see if it can get that information from DHCP from the ISP. If not, check with your ISP what DNS servers you can use and set it manually in the NetGear.

Also, some routers have an nslookup or a ping utility. See if you can use it to ping by name or look up a name. "
"have you reset the router configuration to default yet?
perhaps you have somthing with port forwarding or port triggering "

The possibility of Malware was also suggested. And that a firewall (either external or within the router) may be causing the problem. (Do you by any chance have two firewalls running? I cannot remember if WinXP Home installs one by default. I know WinXP Pro does. You should only have one software firewall running. If you use a third party firewall, you may have two running.)
Also suggested was blocking by a HOSTS file.

No solution was reached for that poster, but perhaps the above may help you.
Here are references Google finds
http://www.google.com/search?source...GLD,GGLD:2004-31,GGLD:en&q=+dns+does+not+work

 

Problem solved, can't pinpoint the exact fix...

Well, the computer is working again, but I cannot say specifically how.

After trying for some time to be methodical, it got pretty late last night (almost this morning). At that point we did a number of things all at once that were suggested by the Experts exchange article in addition to pressing the master reset button on the router to nuke all configuration settings.

Even after all this it did not connect immediately (router was trying to run it's connection wizard, but failing). Finally we turned everything off (computer, cable modem and router), then on again and we've got connectivity again!

Thanks for all the input!

 

coonk--Glad to hear the good news. Thanks for posting back.