Flush DNS

DNS is short for Domain Name System (Service or Server), that basically translates domain names into IP addresses. As domain names are alphabetic, they are easier for us to remember. The Internet however, is based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name the, DNS translates the name into the corresponding IP address. (which is a series of numbers)

When a Windows XP or Windows 2000 machine queries a DNS server, the response is either positive, (a match found) or negative, (no match found). Your operating system (OS) stores these results in a local DNS cache so that local clients do not repeatedly query the DNS server for the same address.

These DNS cache entries are known as DNS resource records, and the DNS resolver always checks the local cache before it queries the DNS server.

XP and 2000 remembers negative (DNS unable to resolve) entries for a few minutes. Often this can be a pain when moving, debugging sites or trying to access a site that returned an error code for any reason.

As long as that negative entry sits in your DNS cache, your box will continue to give you a, cannot find server error. By cleaning out your DNS cache, you can fix this problem.

Rebooting your sytem will flush your cache… but there is a quicker way.

For XP or 2000 OS (Operating Sytems)
1.left click Start. (bottom left hand corner of your screen).
2. Left click, Run
3. In the window type the following: cmd
4. Click Enter
5. You should now have a small black window open. Look for the flashing white cursor. Copy and paste the following: ipconfig /flushdns Where the cursor is flashing
6 Press Enter. Make sure that you copy it exactly, no spaces before or after, ipconfig /flushdns

Wait a few seconds and you should see:
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

If you do not see the above then you have copied the, ipconfig /flushdns incorrectly, or it could be that the DNS is set to disabled, in which case try the following.

1. Go to Start,
2. Left click, Run
3. In the window Type: SERVICES.MSC and click Enter
4. Scroll down the list of services and find the DNS Client service
5. Double-click DNS Client to open its properties
6. On the General tab page about half way down you will see, “Start-up type,” if this box is set to, disabled or manual, click on the down arrow at the side of the box and from the drop down menu select, automatic.
7. Click the Apply and then the Start button to start the DNS Client service immediately
8. Or click OK and restart the computer

Windows, 95, 98, ME, NT do not have DNS cache.

If you want to check what is in your dns cache follow 1 – 4 above then copy and paste, ipconfig /displaydns

You can also access the command prompt from; Start, programs, accessories, command Prompt.

For Vista do the Following:
1. Click the Vista Start logo in the bottom left corner of the screen
2. Click All Programs
3. Click Accessories
4. RIGHT-click on Command Prompt
5. Select Run As Administrator
6. In the command window type the following : ipconfig /flushdns and then hit Enter
7. You will see the following confirmation:

Windows IP Configuration
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.

Please note that there is a space between. ipconfig and the /flushdns.