DNS name resolution is the process by which a domain name is translated into IP address (which is what really the Internet runs on). "DNS" stands for "Domain Name Server". Sometime your computer may "cache" (save old copy of DNS lookup table) in order for faster lookup.
However, in the event the that DNS entry had changed due to changing webhosts, etc, then this cached lookup table may be outdated and incorrect. Or perhaps there is a bad DNS entry in the table. In either case, what you want to do is to "flush the DNS cache" by following the below steps. Note that you can always do this, as there is no harm in flushing the DNS cache even if you don't need to.
The process for flushing the DNS cache in Windows Vista and Windows XP is similar in that in both cases you run "ipconfig /flushdns" at the command window. Below are the detailed steps for doing it on both.
1. Run the Windows Command Prompt as Administrator by typing "cmd" in the Windows search to find the cmd.exe program. Right-click on the cmd.exe program and select "Run As Administrator" from the context menu as shown...
If you get this dialog saying "Windows needs your permission to continue", click Continue.
2. You should now have a command window. Type in the command ...
ipconfig /flushdns
and press Enter.
This flushes your DNS entries.
3. Another useful command is ...
ipconfig /displaydns
to see what your DNS entries are.
1. Go to "Start -> Run" and type in "cmd" and press Enter.
2. You should now have a command window. Type in the command ...
ipconfig /flushdns
and press Enter.
This flushes your DNS entries.
