Page 2 - My DNS server can resolve names->ip but clients still cannot surf

You are right
My friend's XP pro doesn't have anything hogging 53.
Neither does my laptop.

I'll try to fix things up myself here. Thanks a lot for your time and attention, i really really appreciate it, rarely do i see anyone who has gone so far to help me or anyone out. I've learnt alot along the way...

Thanks alot!!!!

Cheers!

Ok,,
Just wanted 2 let u know,

Port 53 was being hogged by the ICS (Internet Connection Sharing). I turned it off on my DNS Server PC, there were no more entries on port 53, it was free to use. Stupid ICS.

However, disabling ICS doesn't seem to help. As expected, my entire network now was stopped from surfing the net, since the conneciton was no longer being shared. I couldn't ping from my resolver.

I then launched my dns server, and my resolver could resolve names to IPs, but still couldn't get ping replies, neither could i browse. I got exactly the same results as i did all along. Sighzzz

This will be my last post on this thread...

I downloaded this NAT software called WinRoute Lite, most NAT softwares have DNS , DHCP, etc built in. A 3rd party NAT software was needed to provide non-Microsoft internet connection sharing. Microsoft ICS apparently is one big non-customizable bulk.

At least this one enabled me to turn off its DNS. I ran it side by side with my own DNS program. Everything works.

My reference lies at the bottom of this page:
http://www.petri.co.il/configuring_ics_on_xp.htm

You were right all along SIlent Rage, the problem wasn't with my DNS program. Thanks for the troubleshooting. =)

Adios,