TCP IPv4 DNS server address keeps changing to a specific IP address (preventing internet access)

I’ve found the answer. At Least for Sony VAIO under Windows 7. In order to get the TCP/IP V4 settings to stay either at obtain DNS Server automatically or at fixed IP addresses you need to edit the profile. To do this you need to do the following:

1. Start Vaio Control Centre from the all programs menu.
2. Select Network Connections
3. Select Vaio Smart Network.
4. Click on advanced
5. Click on Settings (quickly before the Window disappears)
6. Click on Profile Settings
7. Select the profile you are using
8. Click Edit
9. Select IP and DNS
10. Select Obtain DNS Server Automatically or specify OpenDNS addresses.
11. Click Finsh

and thats it.

Apparently Network Locations (A.K.A. Profiles) can manage your IPv4 settings and potentially cause undesired effects such as the one you have described here, and which I too have experienced. We have a couple of laptops in our office that were randomly reverting to an old manual DNS setting we used temporarily during a server upgrade nearly a year ago. I'm sure Windows created a new profile when I changed the DNS to static, and randomly used that profile whenever the machines connected internally.

Deleting Network Locations will remove any offending profiles.

This is the very short "down and dirty" version for Windows 7:

Log on with the proper administrator permissions.

Go to Network and Sharing Center.

Under View your active networks, click the icon on the left next to your network name.

When the Set Network Properties window open click the Merge or delete network locations.

At this time, unplug any network cables and turn off wireless. You cannot delete a network that is in use.

Delete the network location you think is causing the settings to change, (or delete them all like I did.). Windows will then automatically create a new Network Location the next time you connect. (This will not un-join a PC from a domain or forget stored wifi passwords, etc.)

Close out and go back to the Network and Sharing Center. On the left click Change adapter settings

Right click on your network adapter and select Properties.

Right click on your Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4 and select Properties.

Set to IP and DNS to obtain address automatically. Click advanced and make sure you don't have residual garbage in the DNS and WINS tabs. These should probably always be be blank if you are exclusively using DHCP.

Rinse and repeat for any other offending NICs or wireless adapters.

Reconnect to your network(s)

The profile(s) will rebuild itself with the current IPv4 adapter settings as it's default.

If you have a work profile for example that requires static IPv4 settings, and other connections using the same network adapter with DHCP then all bets are off. You may need to use something like NetSetMan to easily manage and switch between profiles on the fly.

Good luck and hope this helps.

I got this answer in my thread, it worked for me

Hi caro890,

I'd suggest you to reset TCP/IP stack and check if this helps.

To reset the TCP/IP stack go to this article and either click on "Fix it for me" or follow the instructions to fix it yourself (If the Fix it button doesn't work then try the manual method)

 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357 .

Hope this information is helpful.

Umesh P - Microsoft Support

I'm having the same problem. I have no virus issues. I checked. My thing is.... I have no problems connecting wirelessly anywhere except when I go onto my community colleges campus. When I try to get on their internet... my laptop (Dell Studio/Windows 7) see's their network with no problems but I have to go to my property settings for TCP/IPv4 and put the checkmark in the 'Connect Automatically' for the DNS setting in order to get on. Has anyone come up with a solution? This is getting old real freakin fast.