ping could not find host of exactly *one* page

Shir Khan · 04-20-2009, 06:45 AM

Hello,

It seems I somehow managed to mess up something, because all of a sudden there is exactly *one* address -- namely mail.google.com -- that I can neither load nor ping.

I can't remember having done or changed anything that might have caused this -- in fact I was writing an email when the site suddenly stopped responding. Ever since I can't load the page with any browser, and I can't ping it from the commandline. I've tried some things, for example ipconfig /flushdns, but the problem persists.

I *can* load the page from other computers in the same network, so it's not an issue of the ISP or the site itself (I guess).

Any ideas?

Thanks!
kR Shir Khan

Shir Khan · 04-20-2009, 07:11 AM

Okay, I found one possible workaround: I manually added "74.125.39.17 mail.google.com" to the hosts file in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc, now things work again.

Still I'd prefer not to have to use that for the rest of my life...

kR Shir Khan

**johnwill** · 04-20-2009, 07:38 AM

That is very odd, to say the least. It sounds like a DNS resolution issue with Google mail, most likely not within your system.

I predict this may clear up in a few days when someone fixes the issue with DNS.

Shir Khan · 04-20-2009, 07:44 AM

Well, then I'll just wait. Thanks for your fast answer!

kR Shir Khan

skowal · 04-20-2009, 03:29 PM

If your other computers can access mail.google then something is wrong with that one computer. A shot in the dark: did you check the offending computer for viruses or spyware?

skowal · 04-20-2009, 03:31 PM

Also clear out your browser's cached pages.

**johnwill** · 04-21-2009, 08:23 AM

Start, Run, NOTEPAD c:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS.

Select all and copy and paste to a message here.

04-20-2009, 06:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
Shir Khan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	*ping could not find host of exactly one* page** Hello, It seems I somehow managed to mess up something, because all of a sudden there is exactly one address -- namely mail.google.com -- that I can neither load nor ping. I can't remember having done or changed anything that might have caused this -- in fact I was writing an email when the site suddenly stopped responding. Ever since I can't load the page with any browser, and I can't ping it from the commandline. I've tried some things, for example ipconfig /flushdns, but the problem persists. I can load the page from other computers in the same network, so it's not an issue of the ISP or the site itself (I guess). Any ideas? Thanks! kR Shir Khan Last edited by Shir Khan; 04-20-2009 at 06:47 AM.

04-20-2009, 07:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
Shir Khan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page** Okay, I found one possible workaround: I manually added "74.125.39.17 mail.google.com" to the hosts file in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc, now things work again. Still I'd prefer not to have to use that for the rest of my life... kR Shir Khan Last edited by Shir Khan; 04-20-2009 at 07:16 AM.

04-20-2009, 07:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,802 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page** That is very odd, to say the least. It sounds like a DNS resolution issue with Google mail, most likely not within your system. I predict this may clear up in a few days when someone fixes the issue with DNS. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

04-20-2009, 07:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Shir Khan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3 OS: XP	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page** Well, then I'll just wait. Thanks for your fast answer! kR Shir Khan

04-20-2009, 03:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
skowal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Linux Ubuntu	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page** If your other computers can access mail.google then something is wrong with that one computer. A shot in the dark: did you check the offending computer for viruses or spyware?

04-20-2009, 03:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
skowal Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4 OS: Linux Ubuntu	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page** Also clear out your browser's cached pages.

04-21-2009, 08:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnwill Manager, Networking Forums Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania, US Posts: 41,802 OS: Windows 7, XP-Pro, Vista, Linux Blog Entries: 1	*Re: ping could not find host of exactly one* page Start, Run, NOTEPAD c:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS.** Select all and copy and paste to a message here. __________________ If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience