Spark Rural 4G DNS error

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ChrisL

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Topic # 236442 2-Jun-2018 10:12

I have a problem with my internet only working if i specify the DNS servers in the connection type properties (ip4), on three different computers connecting though wireless and ethernet.

when i talk to the help desk only some of them know what DNS means and all i do is go around in circles to fix this problem, hence waiting for my third modem now (and after that i guess a third sim card).

Has anyone got any ideas on how i can talk to someone with real skills and not reading from a screen to fix this problem.

I guess i have spent 10-12 hours on the phone over the last month and am sick of wasting my time, every time i call we start agin and m sick of it.

I see this as a real failing of spark and most likely other companies faults service

I would just swap providers but vodafone only offer 200 Gig a month while i have 240 Gig with spark, but i guess if i'm forced into it i will have to swap.

also if you have any ideas i can try at home to resole it too

thanks

Chris

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Reply # 2027405 2-Jun-2018 10:39

Have you tried a DNS flush on the home PC then tried again using default DNS?

John

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Reply # 2027416 2-Jun-2018 10:53

Have you tried resetting the 4G modem and just using it as it's originally setup?

Sounds to me like you may be changing settings and it's no longer handing out a valid DNS.

Alternatively, you say you have been setting DNS on the device, so is it possible you have forgotten to click back on automatically detect?

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ChrisL

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Reply # 2027438 2-Jun-2018 11:24

thanks for the reply John
Seems to have worked, I also had the dns in the router, have removed from router and pc, done a DNS flush and internet working,
however this problem started one month ago and the fault has evolved over time.
in the beginning the internet would stop working at say 8am it didn't matter what i did eg reset router to default with pin, remove sim (does that ever work?) or nothing but some where between 1 and 1.5 hr if i switch it off then on it would work again. Then 24 hours later it might happen again or maybe not.
or iff say i turned it off at lunchtime, then next time it may happen is at lunch time then next day.
then one day when i was trying fix it i put in sparks DNS into my pc before the hours was up and it worked. so i put it in the router as well
no more problems until on thursday it required the DNS in all the pc's all the time to work.

now i have 3 pc's, 3 laptops(wireless) and 5 phone connecting all needing the DNS in the (i don't know how to put it in my phone)
Now this morning after and unsuccessful chat with spark (third modem on its way) about 2 hours later the internet stopped working to reset router and phones working again.
Its alot to explain
I really think there is a problem at the tower, i think there will only 1-5 people using the network with rbi on my antenna as the topography of the land limits it. but maybe im worng.
when it does work i get 40 plus Mbits up/down
its really good when it works

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027439 2-Jun-2018 11:26

only setting i have been changing are external aerial, alternate dns, wireless off. on two modems

Chris

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Reply # 2027440 2-Jun-2018 11:33

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Using alternate DNS can cause issues as well you are best to maybe try another modem, Spark do a new modem that is CA as well so better speed

John

Ex JohnR VodafoneNZ 17 years 4 days

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027446 2-Jun-2018 11:48

i was using sparks DNS 122.56.237.1 and 210.55.111.1, just specifying it in the router and devices

What is the other modem model so i can ask for it and what does CA mean certified approved?

current is huawei B315

thanks

Chris

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Reply # 2027447 2-Jun-2018 11:49

Sure it's the B316 and it supports CA = carrier aggregation

John

Edit: B618s not B316

Ex JohnR VodafoneNZ 17 years 4 days

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027452 2-Jun-2018 11:52

I still think its the tower

Spark KAKAPIKO

RSM Location height: 581M
Transmitters: 2

Transmitter 1: 700MHz
Centre: 768.000MHz
ERIP: 40
Registered: Thu, Nov 13, 2014 2:10 PM
Commenced: Thu, Nov 13, 2014
Expires: Wed, Mar 11, 2020
RSM License: 246637

Transmitter 2: 850MHz
Centre: 877.500MHz
ERIP: 40
Registered: Thu, May 6, 1999 2:47 PM
Commenced: Fri, Aug 18, 2017
Expires: Fri, Nov 28, 2031
RSM License: 7095

bet i'm the only one on it

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Reply # 2027456 2-Jun-2018 12:05

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Bet you are not the only one attached to the site, Zero chance of that

John

Ex JohnR VodafoneNZ 17 years 4 days

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027459 2-Jun-2018 12:17

your probably right but it would be interesting to know if anyone else was have any problems, there is only 10 or so house's down my road and most people use vodafone around me, in fact most are using Compass for internet from a different site.

Yes it can go a lot further than my road i know but most people around this area will just put up with it if they didn't know better.

cant find B316 on the net either only B315

Chris

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Reply # 2027460 2-Jun-2018 12:23

B618s.

It is possible using the alternative dns is causing the issue. Especially if your changing the wrong pdu.

I'll test with a spare in the office next week...

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Reply # 2027461 2-Jun-2018 12:29

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Why are you changing the DNS settings in the modem?

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027466 2-Jun-2018 12:42

Have just reset the modem, to factory default with a pin in the magic hole next to the power supply

have changed the password for wifi, wifi name and arial selection only

i do appreciate the help, from everyone so now have a base line to work from if when the issue returns, maybe lunch time tomorrow

I put the DNS in the router so my phone could use the data. easier to put it in one place than each device. however that is back to default

doing the ipconfig /flushdns seem to have fix the problems that started on thursday so will see how the rest goes now.

Cheers

Chros

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Reply # 2027481 2-Jun-2018 13:00

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ChrisL:

I put the DNS in the router so my phone could use the data. easier to put it in one place than each device. however that is back to default

You don't need to touch the DNS - the DNS server settings are already in the router and handed out to devices connected to WiFi via DHCP.

ChrisL

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Reply # 2027492 2-Jun-2018 13:30

my problem is the dns seems to get lost from time to time

the error i would get on a web page is something like

cannot resolve host dns error, from memory,

so i put the dns in the pc adapter it then worked but my phone didn't so i put it in the router then phone works,

this works for two week then thursday nothing works unless dns is specified in device. i did nothing in router for two weeks before this apart from specifying the dns.

i think you guys are right me playing with the dns probably cause the problem on thursday but its not working by itself.

and the tech at 0800 738 738 help don't even know what dns stand for 1/2 the time

will see what happens over the next few days as the original problem was in a 24hr cycle

as i have said flushing the dns has fix the issue from thursday pity the help desk didn't say anything. i would like to stay with spark as i get and extra 40gig a month, hopefully its all good now but i really doubt it

also im not an expert in this area, and nor do i want to be, i just want it to work without having to wait 90 min to reset the modem.

time will tell

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