Resolving DNS lookup issues in Mac OS X 10.2.2

Due to an update to the DNS lookup system in Mac OS X 10.2.2, a number of users have problems resolving URLs. Some readers report that up to half of their browser requests are rejected with the error "The specified server could not be found," and e-mail requests delivering "'Error involving Domain Name System." messages.

We previously reported a tedious workaround involving use of the 'host' command in Terminal ( a command line interface to lookupd) and typing 'host -a " (e.g. 'host -a www.macfixit.com') . This seems to reset any cached information about the offending host, and allow browsers to locate sites.

Paul Findley offers two additional workarounds:

• Use your Network System Preference pane to toggle to an alternate setup, and back again, and hit Apply. Keeping the network pane running and minimized allows this process to be regularly used.
• In terminal, issue this command (and enter password when prompted): sudo kill -1 `cat /var/run/lookupd.pid`.

Feedback on this issue? Drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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