Why do Xtra and ihug DNS servers take 30 seconds?

Why are the xtra and ihug DNS servers so damn slow?
Regularly I and others have to wait around 30 seconds before I get a
response to any webpage that I want to see. That is, except the web
pages that have a numeric IP address and load instantly.

 

Why would you use ihug's DNS servers when connected to xtra's network?

 

A friend uses ihug and has similar 30 second delays.

 

Assuming you're using Windows, go to a DOS prompt and type

ipconfig/all

and post back here what the DNS servers it lists are.

If there is a non-responsive server listed there will be a timeout of
about 30 seconds before it tries the next server listed.

 

You could try Opendns?

 

Yes I am using Windows, which I hate.
"Cannot find the file 'ipconfig/all' or one of its components."
I can see this is going to take some time.
However I can see ipconfig.exe in C:/WINDOWS

 

ok... I'll clarify.

Start --> Run and type cmd in the resultant space and press enter.

A black DOS screen with a command prompt should pop up.

in this box type

ipconfig /all

and press enter

A fsair bit of drivel should result including a list of DNS servers.
That's the bit we are interested in that you should post here. If it
scrools off the screen the up arrow key should scroll back to it.

When you've finished reading in the DOS window type

exit

and press the enter key to close it.

If you're still confused drop me an email and I'll see what I can do to
help.

 

I'm using Win98SE.
Do you mean Start/Run/ipconfig/all?
In that case as I've said, I get the message "Cannot find the file
'ipconfig/all' or one of its components."
Clearly I need to somehow tell it to find ipconfig within the WINDOWS
directory. I've tried forward slashes and backward slashes. I've
already told you that I hate Windows. I learn the absolute minimum to
get it to work.

 

I have just searched Google for xtra dns servers, and have found a
page that allows me to check the DNS servers that I'm using.
"Disable DNS" was selected. I have selected "Enable DNS" and put in
the two xtra DNS servers and it seems to be working rather well.
My question is now, how has my system been working at all for the last
few years? None of those details has been changed on my computer since
I first joined xtra.

 

No I get a message "Cannot find the file 'cmd" or one of its
components.

 

In that case go Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt

 

"Command Prompt" is not present in Win98SE.

 

You're happy, it works, you've said you want to know the minimum for it
to work so I'll shut up now.

 

Now that's odd. With the space I get a black window with all kinds of
interesting info in it, and the window disappears a fraction of a
second later so I can't read it.
Without the space, as first stated i.e. ipconfig/all I get "Cannot
find the file "ipconfig/all" or one of its components.

Please sir, how is the average person supposed to understand how to do
these things? I have used other, superior, operating systems, but at
the moment I'm stuck with Windows.

 

In that case you might need to use a different command. I remember
encountering this when I tried setting up a Win98 system a few years ago
(I'm more familiar with Windows NT and its derivatives).

On Win98, you need to use "winipcfg" instead of "ipconfig".

<http://support.microsoft.com/kb/141698>

 

ipconfig works just fine with Win98.

 

winipcfg seems to work OK thanks, and shows me the two DNS servers
that have just set up.

If anyone else wants to know, now that I've worked it out the hard
way, here is how I prefer to see the instructions for how to change
the DNS servers for broadband:
Win98SE /Start /Settings /Control panel /Network /Configuration /TCP
IP Dlink modem /Properties /DNS Configuration

 

It doesn't work on my Win98SE machine.

 

It needs the space between the ipconfig and the /all

 

I can follow instructions and have done so. I have been told the wrong
instructions by two people in this very thread.
I'm still waiting for an explanation how a black window that flashes
up for an instant is supposed to help me.