[timewaster]

We have a multi-port modem which also does wireless. While we can open all websites on my partner's PC (plugged in to the modem, ADSL 2 internet) my PC (also plugged in) and my laptop (wireless) refuse to open the open occasional website (eg baby bunting, iinet). This is the same for both Internet Explorer and Firefox. The page just cycles through till timing out without loading anything.
My PC is running Windows XP Pro and the laptop is on Windows 7 (both up-to-date), while my partner's PC is on Windows XP Home. On the laptop I've tried disabling the firewall, loading a different firewall, loading different virus scanning software, un-installing and re-installing firefox completely, and un-installing and re-installing Flash (working fine) and un-installing Skype & pluggins, to no avail. I haven't yet uninstalled Spybot (I don't have Teatimer) but my partner has this on his PC (he also has the same firewall and virus software I currently have on both machines). I have no other anti-virus/malware software.
Help! This is not crippling, but just really annoying!

[TerryNet]

Are you and your partner both using the same DNS server? If you don't know how to check that please show for his PC and one of yours ...

Start, Run, CMD, OK to open a command prompt:
(For Vista or 7 type CMD in the Search box after Start)

Type the following command:

IPCONFIG /ALL

[Note that there is no space between the slash and ALL.]

Right click in the command window and choose Select All, then hit Enter.
Paste the results in a message here.

If necessary use a text file and removable media to copy the results to a computer with internet access.

[timewaster]

For the record, we both do have the same DNS server, although magically all websites are working fine on the PCs and laptop as of this morning. Not sure if this was an instance of demonstrating a faulty appliance in front of the repair man, Murphy's Law, or one for the conspiracy theorists.
Thanks for you help anyhow.

[TerryNet]

You're welcome. It was probably the faulty appliance phenomenon.

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