DNS Error with .wmv Files

Hello,

I am having an odd problem, and I simply can't seem to find a solution for it. I have looked around on the internet, and tried everything that I can think of myself, and I simply do not know what is wrong. I am an IT major, and a techie, so I am at a loss as to what is going on here, or even causing this problem.

First off, as background, I run a very simple home network with a standard Linksys router. The internet connection is broadband. Two computers exist on my network: my PC, and my laptop.

On my laptop, whenever I try and access a .wmv file, I get a "Cannot find server" DNS error in Internet Explorer. This is only on my laptop though. If I try and access the same .wmv file from my PC, it works just fine; Windows Media loads, and the movie plays. Both computers are running Norton Systems Works, with NAV and Ghost in the background. There are no funky settings in my router or routing table. Neither computer runs a firewall. Both of them are almost identical.

What could possibly be causing this problem? It didn't always do this: this problem came out of the blue. What would possibly cause a .wmv file to throw a DNS error?

Thanks in advance for any help!

- Vince

 

Does anyone have any ideas?

 

Just a thought....try flushing your DNS cache - ipconfig\flushdns

 

Just tried it.... didn't work... I am at a loss as to what is causing this problem.

 

It is possible that your laptop does not have all of the codecs installed that your desktop has. Windows Media Player might be trying to locate the codec and can't, and thus gives you a DNS error. (For some reason if Windows Media Player doesn't have the right codec, it doesn't tell you that. It just tries to find one and if the URL where it is looking has moved or is down you could get a DNS error.)
Will your laptop not play any .wmv files or just one in particular? You might try going to Windows Update and seeing if there are any additional codecs you can download.
Sorry, but this may be a trial and error apporach.