Strange Network problem

[Cogman]

Well, Im stumped. Recently I built my brother in law a cheap computer with onboard lan chip. He only had windows 98 so that is what I installed on his computer (a pain in the behind). It ran very unstably and finally I ended up puting Ubuntu on his computer. During this time, his internet connection was changed from an unmonitored T1 connection to a DSL connection. When this happened, his internet connection stopped working in windows 98 (he had a statically assigned IP address, Just had to switch it to DHCP).

So on to the real problem, In Ubuntu his computer will not connect to any site except for google, not even the ISP's home page. His computer is connected to google as you can search for random stuff and have results appear (IE I looked up kernel, DirectCommunications (our ISP), and anandtech on google. Results came up for each). I know that his DNS settings are working because when I use "ping" the IP address is reported correctly for each site that I ping, but I get no return. Randomly, his computer will connect to different web sites every once in a while. But for the most part google is the only web site that really works (if it does connect to another site it takes a very long time, feals slower then dialup).

In windows 98, I set it up to get his IP address via DHCP, very breifly when I started Internet Explorer I saw that it started to load MSN (which it would not do in ubuntu). I did not try any other site however and don't know if it would work (though windows 98 was not uninstalled)

So what do you think the problem is? One thing I noticed was that his IP address was odd (and the DNS servers where not assigned out, I had assign them manually). By odd, I mean that it was the same as mine was as we are using the same ISP and setup. I get an IP address like 10.0.0.188 his on the other hand was 208.92.39.192 (not the real address). What is even stranger is that if A DNS server was assigned out on his it was 10.0.1.1. while his IP was similar to the above.

Currently, he is going to get a different DSL Modem, and I have ordered him a wireless router. (he just got a wireless card for himself) I am a bit skeptical that it will work right away but it is worth a shot. Any suggestions for me on what I might change? Is it the ISP's fault? His motherboard is a PC chips A31G, which as a SIS chipset and a SIS 900 Ethernet chip. (yeah, I know its not the best, but it is good enough for him). I have not messed with ethernet drivers, just left them as ubuntu detected them.

(edited for clarity)

If you guys don't understand what Im saying, please respond and tell me.

 

[LightninTrip]

can you chew that back up, and spit it back out...

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: LightninTrip
can you chew that back up, and spit it back out...

what? Do you mean that I'm not being clear enough?

 

[Cogman]

Anyone out there have a hunch or an incling of what might be wrong? Also, I changed the origional post so it should make a bit more sence in some parts.

 

[Cogman]

One last try, the wireless router should arrive today, so any takers? Even a vague wager of what might be wrong would be much appriciated, (heck even an I dont know what you are talking about, or this post does not belong here would be appreciated.)

 

[spidey07]

You're not getting any responses because the post is completly unreadable.

In one sentence, what is the problem? And quit mucking and changing things.

You need to figure out EXACTLY what is the symptom.

1) Can you ping www.google.com or www.yahoo.com?
2) Do those addresses resolve to a good IP address?
3) Have you looked at your HOSTS file (google for where it is and what it means)

 

[Cogman]

Originally posted by: spidey07
You're not getting any responses because the post is completly unreadable.

In one sentence, what is the problem? And quit mucking and changing things.

You need to figure out EXACTLY what is the symptom.

1) Can you ping www.google.com or www.yahoo.com?
2) Do those addresses resolve to a good IP address?
3) Have you looked at your HOSTS file (google for where it is and what it means)

Thanks Spidey, thats exactly what I needed.

1) No (they do not return)
2) Yes I do see the correct IP address.
3) No I haven't.

Having said that, I have found that the problem is that the drivers are not installed correctly. The internet works perfectly in win98 and not in ubuntu so I'm left with the conclusion that the drivers are to blame.