Internet Explorer/MSN Messenger problems

[Airmatix]

I've set up my new 3G card, and everything seems fine-ish. Once I got the Dashboard installed, etc. I was able to download e-mail, send SMS and everything - just as advertised. But here's the kicker:

My IE seems to be having intermittent DNS errors, and MSN Messenger won't work at all. Going without IE isn't much of a problem - I use Opera to browse 99% of the time anyway, and Opera works PERFECTLY. But I do use MSN Messenger to stay in touch with loads of people, and since Messenger shares a connection with IE, I would love to fix this whole thing.

Interestingly I am able to send and receive e-mail though Outlook Express, which supposedly also use the same connection. SO, is there anybody with any advice on this one? Are there any special DNS settings, etc. I should use for IE? Or is there an automatic configuration script somewhere that I can use?

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[bb_matt]

Have you tried Gaim ? :-

http://gaim.sourceforge.net/about.php

Gaim is a multi-protocol instant messaging (IM) client for Linux, BSD, MacOS X, and Windows. It is compatible with AIM and ICQ (Oscar protocol), MSN Messenger, Yahoo!, IRC, Jabber, Gadu-Gadu, SILC, GroupWise Messenger, and Zephyr networks.

 

[Airmatix]

Thanks for the quick reply. I haven't tried Gaim yet - or Trillian for that matter. To me the bigger issue is resolving the problem with IE. Like many people I just can't stand having something work, but not working perfectly...

 

[DFantom]

manually set the dns up?

 

[Diago]

I have installed and uninstalled my 3G Data Card on various occassions but have never experienced a problem like this with mine on either Linux or Windows. There should be no need for you to manually configure anything. I use MSN and IRC as well as IE and Firefox both with no problems, and also use GAIM. Did you have a previous internet connection setup that may be interferring with your current setting ?

 

[Airmatix]

I have three dial-up connections set up on my machine:

- Bluetooth Connection
- M-Web dial-up
- Vodafone Connect Card

I've had a look at my IE connection settings, but it is set to "Automatically Detect Settings" in both dial-up and LAN connections.

The fact that Outlook Express works fine worries me a little, as IE an OE are supposed to share Internet settings. Clearly, in this case, something else is interfering with IE (and as a result, also with MSN Messenger).

Interestingly I can browse many sites just fine with IE - but then some sites just report DNS errors. When I open the same sites using Opera, everything is honky dory again...

 

[Airmatix]

STOP PRESS: I've just disconnected and reconnected my 3G connection for the umpteenth time, and now everything is in order. I launched IE from the Dashboard rather than just starting it up once the connection has been made, and now it works fine.

Thanks for the help anyway!

PS. MSN Messenger is now also up and running, and everything seems stable enough.

 

[ic]

It's good that you've got it going again, but it could be coincidental & not at all related to the Dashboard or the 3G connection - maybe your routing table was updated...or something.

Anyways have you got firewall, antivirus & anti-malware on your PC?

 

[DFantom]

spyware maybe

 

[Airmatix]

I've got AVG anti-virus (free edition, but updated like clockwork), Windows Firewall (SP2) and Ad-Aware running here. I'm not too worried about nasties, but then again it's probably better to be safe than sorry.

I've just run Ad-Aware (updated before running) and my AV software just to be certain, but it all seems cool. Anyway, I'm just happy that everything is finally doing what it says on the rather chunky DVD case...