Can't access Google

Ok, my husband cannot access Google on his wireless laptop in IE, Firefox or Chrome, but I can on mine, so I am guessing it is a system issue, not a router or browser issue. He can't ping www.google.com, but can ping the Google IP address and can access Google via the IP address in his web browser. We did a DNS flush, no luck. I found on CNET that if we removed the references to Google in the HOSTS file under WINDOWS>System32>Drivers>Etc. it would stop Google from looping back to our own IP address. However, even after making sure that we could see the hidden folders, there is no HOSTS file.

Ran Malaware, Spybot, etc.

He is running XP Professional.

Any suggestions?

 

How did you flush your DNS cache?
If you didn't do it like this try this this method.
> ipconfig /flushdns

Did you also uncheck the option "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"?

Having said that the only entry that should be in your hosts file would be the loopback address (127.0.0.1) unless someone or something (malware) changed it.

One thing to check is when you perform a "ping www.google.com" is to take note of the ip address it resolves to. Does it match the ip address you have for google's server?

You could also check your DNS Servers settings to make sure they are correctly configured.

If you use the tracert command it may help to determine if it's a problem with your config or something going wrong out on the net by tracking your route.
> tracert www.google.com

 

That's what I did...no luck.

It actually timed out 4 times...no result.

Will uncheck the operating systems files option and also run the tracert command and let you know....

 

Another thing to try if you still think it's a DNS cache issue is to "Stop" the "DNS Client" service which will force the system to resolve each DNS request to a DNS server and will not use the DNS cache.

To stop the service you need to navigate to the following "Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative Tools\Services" (Elevated permissions required).

Can the wireless laptop get to any other sites via the URL, or is it just Google having an issue?

 

The IT guy from my husband's work came over and did some "magic" and we are all good now. He couldn't access any Google site, but all other sites worked.

Thank you for your help.