antioed, thanks for the info. and the link. I'll have to perform the tests and perhaps apply the hot fix to see if it fixes things. Can't imagine that MS hasn't run across this issue yet.

Try this Microsoft Update for SP2:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=884020
or
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

OK, well that hotfix appears to have resolved the problem.

Many thanks to one and all that have assisted in this issue resolution.

Thanks,
Erik.

Well shame on me. Spoke too soon. It seemed like it was working. I left my Outlook running all night long and it got email from the Linux server OK, and never failed, but as soon as I started surfing the web, the problem came back.

So, the hotfix mentioned above does not resolve the issue.

Erik.

I had a similar problem once. It was a "broken" winsock. I downloaded a free Winsock fix program on a different pc. I ran the repair program and the problem was resolved. The problem was caused by vast quantities of malicious spyware, so now I run Spysweeper (so-so), and Adaware and Search and Destroy, both great. Hope this helps.

Hmm. Yea, I came to the spyware conclusion too. I was running Search and Destroy for a long time now, installed XP SP2, got the problem, ran AdWare to clear more of that stuff out, re-applied XP SP2 to fix it, but it didn't.

You think that you could remember where you got that winsock fixer program? I'd sure like to give that a try.

Thanks,
Erik.

Wisockxpfix:

http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html


Also- a couple of "do it yourself" Winsock repair articles from Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=299357

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=811259

WinsockxpFix.exe helped after running spyware removal because of

badurl.grandtreetinteractive.com -
the spyware was removed - but- the Internet connection had died

http://daniweb.com/techtalkforums/thread10305.html

it is a good idea to save all those excellent freeware on one CD
and make copies for later use and/ or distribution

Guys,
Thanks! Very cool. I'll be trying that fix later today when I get a chance, and I'll report back and let you know the results.

Thanks,
Erik.

Well, the winsock fix seems to have cleared all of this up. I've been running for hours now without any DNS errors popping up.

Thanks very much everyone.

Erik.