Joe Zeff wrote:
I'm not sure what tests I can run to diagnose the problem. Any suggestions very gratefully received. They may save a marriage ...
Thanks for your response.
What browser/version is she using?
She was using Internet Explorer, but she also has Firefox
Have you had her open up a terminal (Sorry, it's been too long since I last used Windows for anything except games at a private club, and I may have the terminology wrong.) and try to ping someplace? My suggestion is mit.edu, as I know you'll get a response, as I just tested. If that fails does she get a response of Unknown Host? If so, her DNS might be misconfigured, but before checking that, try this:
ping 23.48.166.151
I did do this, with www.google.ie (she is in Ireland) and its IP address.
As that's the same machine as you'd get from the other command. If that works, it's probably her DNS. If not:
tracert 23.48.166.151
Thanks. I'll try that.
This gives you the Windows version of traceroute, and should show you how far her ping gets before failing. Also, you can try it with just about any state university after testing from your own box to make sure it responds; I just suggested MIT because I know that it works, just fine.
If you're wondering how I know all this because I don't use Windows any more, I did telephone tech support for a major ISP for 7.5 years and troubleshooting connection/connectivity issues was a large part of my daily work.
I guess I could ring my ISP (Eircom) and try not to mention Linux ...