I can not figure out this problem on a client's PC. They have 2 machines connected through a Linksys Router, sharing a Comcast Cable connection. One machine works fine, the other does not. Here are the observed conditions: Machine can ping the router, DNS servers, and other IP addresses. Machine will not resolve any DNS names. I have removed all networking components, rebooted, and reinstalled them. I have uninstalled all versions of AOL and then reinstalled networking components again. The same symptoms persist. ANy ideas?

Is the router in DHCP server mode? If so, is the TCP/IP setup for DHCP as well? If so still, than take the DNS address from router and enter it in DNS field of TCP/IP. You will also need to assign this computer an IP and gateway. The gateway will be the router IP address Oh, this is generalized info, not specific to an OS. Is this problem specific with Win98 on both PCs?

This ussually occurs from ad ware and spy ware that have corrupted the winsock2 registry key. Scan the PC for ad ware and spy ware using adaware and spybot. remove everything that it finds. If that does not resolve the issue please post back with the following info on the HKLM\system\curentcontrolset\services\winsock2 key. 1. how many catalog entries are in the namespace_catalog5\catalog_entries key. 2. how many catalog entries are in the namespace_catalog9\catalog_entries key. We can go from there to resolve the issue. Are both PC's windows 98?

Mmmm. December 5th. I hit the same problem after a/ clearing 4 viruses and b/ catching a bout of ShopAtHome spyware. Cleared the systerm of all the files, reloaded Win98, but since then I have been unable to run anything that needs a DNS address (modem runs fine with faxware etc).

OK, solved the problem with help from Bill Gates...Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 241344 fixes the problem, at least until you get spammed again I guess....