Help: DNS Can't Resolve Host Name mystery

I hope someone here can help me, Live Chat hasn't been able to (and since my last support ticket four days ago, on another problem, hasn't been answered yet, I do not expect a support ticket on this one to help any time soon).

The problem is that I can't log in, I get a "DNS Can't Resolve Host Name" error. This is the chronology of the error:

1. I was actually going to do work with my main account and alt. Alt was already logged in to club's sim- Peddle. I logged in to main account at my home in Theretra. However, trying to TP out of Theretra I kept crashing. That is when I tried logging in to a specific

2. I tried logging into a specific region using the --url setting (as explained in the Wiki.) I think I was getting the DNS error on that, but figured it was because I just wasn't doing the --url thing properly. I took the --url thing out.

3. Even after taking the --url thing out, I was getting the DNS error.

4. First session with Live Chat, I was instructed to clear cache, do an ipconfig/flushDNS, restart the router, and restart the computer. I did these things; but afterward, I still got the DNS error. At least on the main computer. I could still log in on my slow computer that I use when I need the alt as a test dummy.

5. I did a Windows XP update on my computer, and re-installed Second Life. Still getting the DNS error problem.

6. Second session with Live Chat, I told everything I did with the first Live Chat person, though even after I was told to do the ipconfig/flushdns thing again. Then she had me going into my router and setting up all kinds of port configurations. Despite the fact that I had logged in earlier and nothing had changed. But I did them all (443 TCP, 5060 and 5062 TCP and UDP, etc.) This caused my router to reset and chat session to end. Still got the DNS error. Other computer can log in fine.

7. Third session with Live Chat is still pending as I write this (I have no faith in Live Chat right now). All the above information has been explained. She has had me verify my computer specifications against the minimum specifications on the Second Life web site. I confirmed that my computer exceeds all minimum specifications, except graphics card (which I have been using successfully for 2 years). That was about 15 minutes ago, still waiting for a reply.

8. The weirdest thing, maybe it's my imagination- the top bar of the window at the login screen (with File, Perferences, Help) is red. I'm sure it's supposed to be grey.

Anyone want to give me help as to the problem? It happened after the crash from Theretra and my trying to log into a specific region. That has to have something to do with it, I'd thing. It can't be my router or ISP, because they worked fine earlier tonight on this computer, and they are the same for my other computer which is logged into SL now.

Edit: Live Chat session 3 just ended, with me being told to download new graphics drivers from ATI and restart and try again. Old graphics drivers causing a DNS lookup error? I'm skeptical, but doing it before I go to Live Chat session 4.

Edit #2: Indeed, updating the graphics drivers didn't resolve the problem. I went ahead and updating my chipset drivers as well, didn't help.

I think it's Professor Plum with the candlestick in the conservatory.

Try deleting the settings.xml file in the user folder (doesn't get changed by an uninstall/reinstall).

It's here: Docs&Settings/user/AppData/SecondLife

Also a red top bar means Aditi.

Tried deleting settings.xml, didn't work.

What does Aditi mean?

It's the preview grid. Agni is the main grid.

Try using the actual program icon and not the shortcut to get started - your shortcut is perhaps borked.

I've actually done that, since I did mess with the shortcut to try to add the --url thing, and then took it out. I deleted the shortcut from desktop, re-installed SL, and I have gone directly to the SL folder and clicked on the SL icon from there. It opens up with the red bar, and I get the DNS error thing trying to log in.

I think what I'd do is save my chatlogs and anything else - like WindLight skies - into another folder, then uninstall and delete all the SL files, not just the ones that go in an uninstall. Then I'd do a fresh install from scratch.

Shift - Contr - G brings up the grids selectionbox on the login screen.
Make sure Agni is selected.

When going to re-install, and taking the suggestion of copying a few things, I saw a folder called Settings and deleted all the .xml files in that one. I can log in now. (Before I had deleted the settings in the Amity_Slade folder). It finally works. Thank you.

If you want to log in to another region you can tick the 'Show Start Location on Login Screen' in preferences (ctrl - P). This brings up a little selection box under your login name in wich you can type the region name.
No need to fiddle with the short cut.

Yahoo!

Had that error just a few seconds ago. I selected another region from the login because I didn't want to re-install, and it worked. I'm in.