I have a dedicated server for my sites. Every once in a while I can't access my sites - one by one over a few hours to a day I lose access to each site (I just get a server not found msg). Thunderbird can't pick up mail either (access to email is usually the first thing to go).

This has happened 5 or 6 times (is happening right now) and lasts anywhere from 1-3 days. I've spent hours on the phone with support with Qwest DSL, hours on chat with my hosts support team. Nobody has the slightest idea whats going on and all they can say is the problem isn't on their end

I'm convinced its my ISP because I could dialup with my PeoplePC acct and get to my sites just fine. THEY can access my sites though, so they assume it just can't possibly be their problem. They had me try a ton of things with my computer (with no success) - but even my husbands laptop has the same problem using our DSL connection. Not to mention, nothing changes on my computer before, during, or after the downtime. I'm also wondering if maybe there is something wonky about my server that makes my ISP not recognize it? Sorry, as you can tell I am NOT very tech savvy

Anyone have any suggestions? This is so incredibly aggravating to not be able to access my sites

Figures! just as soon as I am done typing this up, its working again. I'm not complaining though!

But, its still so aggravating when it happens (especially when it happens for several days at a time). I'd like to figure it out so it will stop or I can at least get it taken care of ASAP.

The next time you lose access to your site, I would ask a few of your friends to see if they can access it...If it's a control panel or admin section that you are referring to, then obviously only ask people who you trust. Make sure these people don't live near you...ideally they would live very far away.

That should help to determine where the problem lies...if others around the world cannot access your site either, then odds are good that it's a host/server problem.

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Sorry...I thought I put this in my first post. Its just me, everyone else can access my sites - and I mean just going to the URL. Thats people all over the country as well as my husband just across town at his office (not the same ISP). For me, the site simply does not show up, I just get a "server not found" msg.

I asked a friend locally who uses the same ISP and she couldn't get on the site either.

Sounds like it's your ISP then...I dunno that there is much you can do in that situation other than find a new ISP if it gets too bad.

One thing that you can try next time is try to access your site via a proxy...Google proxy surfer and hundreds of proxy surfing websites will come up...Just pick one and try it out. Basically, what this does is reroute your connection to the websites you're visiting. If this is a problem in the route between your ISP and the server, this should solve it.

EDIT: ok, so the google results are not as self-explanatory as I thought they would be. Here's an example of what I am describing:

http://www.freeproxyserver.net

What you do is put the URL you want to visit in that box and click go...there are tons of these sites out there if that one doesn't work or you don't like it.

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It may not even be your ISP. Could be a simple routing issue as to where there is a down router between you and your server. It sux. I have been there and feel for you. Not much you can do.

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Give OpenDNS a try if you suspect a nameserver problem. I use them and love them.

http://opendns.org

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As do I.

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Thanks, I'm looking into it now