I have DSL, a linksys router/firewall, and then windowsXP with zonealarm.
Right after powering up my PC, I can use internet just fine.
After a few hours of inactivity, sometimes internet stops working. Got timeout no matter what web site I visit. However, if I type in an IP address instead of URL, the browser works fine. In other words, DNS problem.
I found three solutions:
(1) use command prompt and execute "ipconfig /renew"
(2) turn off zone alarm
(3) go into zone alarm's firewall setting -> advance, and check "Allow outgoing DNS/DHCP in internet zone on high setting".
Could someone explain what is going on? Especially, why would it work for a while, and then stop working?