Description of Pingname.bat and Pingnum.bat Files

Last reviewed: April 30, 1997
Article ID: Q156062

3.00 WINDOWS kbref kbnetwork

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.0 for Windows 95

SUMMARY

This article describes the Pingname.bat and Pingnum.bat files located in the Windows\Help folder. These files are installed with Internet Explorer version 3.0

MORE INFORMATION

You can use the Pingname.bat and Pingnum.bat files to help troubleshoot Internet connection problems.

Pingname.bat

The Pingname.bat file contains the following lines:

   ping www.microsoft.com

   ping ftp.microsoft.com

   @echo off

   echo ...

   echo Click the Help window to continue with the Internet troubleshooter.

This file helps to test DNS (Domain Name System) connectivity issues. Domain names make browsing easier, but the TCP/IP protocol uses only numerical IP addresses. A DNS server resolves domain names to their IP addresses. If you run the Pingname.bat file at a command prompt when you have a valid connection, you should receive a reply similar to:

   C:\WINDOWS\HELP>ping www.microsoft.com

   Pinging www.microsoft.com [207.68.137.35] with 32 bytes of data

   Reply from 207.68.137.35: bytes=32 time=xxxms TTL=xxx

   C:\WINDOWS\HELP>ping ftp.microsoft.com

   Pinging ftp.microsoft.com [198.105.232.1] with 32 bytes of data

   Reply from 198.105.232.1: bytes=32 time=xxxms TTL=xxx

Note that although only one reply is listed here, a typical response contains four replies.

The time and TTL values can vary. Receiving a "Bad IP Address" message can indicate a DNS problem. Receiving a "Request Timed Out" message can also indicate a DNS issue, as well as incorrect gateway information. It is possible to receive one or two "Request Timed Out" messages and still have a successful connection. Also, each batch file pings two values (either DNS or IP addresses). This is a precaution in case one server is down.

Pingnum.bat

The Pingnum.bat file contains the following lines:

   ping 198.105.232.1

   ping 198.105.232.6

   @echo off

   echo ...

   echo Click the Help window to continue with the Internet troubleshooter.

Both addresses (198.105.232.1 and 198.105.232.6) are ftp.microsoft.com servers. Both are tested as a precaution in case one is down.

If you run the Pingnum.bat file at a command prompt when you have a valid connection, you should receive a reply similar to:

   C:\WINDOWS\HELP>ping 198.105.232.1

   Pinging 198.105.232.1 with 32 bytes of data

   Reply from 198.105.232.1: bytes=32 time=xxxms TTL=xxx

   C:\WINDOWS\HELP>ping 198.105.232.6

   Pinging 198.105.232.6 with 32 bytes of data

   Reply from 198.105.232.6: bytes=32 time=xxxms TTL=xxx

These batch files test the connection and its ability to browse, but do not test the TCP/IP stack itself. If both of these tests fail, test the TCP/IP stack by typing the following command:

   ping 127.0.0.1

You should receive the following reply:

   Reply from 127.0.0.1: bytes=32 time=xxxms TTL=xxx

Any other reply can indicate a damaged stack. If this occurs, remove and reinstall the TCP/IP protocol.

For additional information about how to troubleshoot a TCP/IP connection, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE ID: Q153967
   TITLE     : Internet Explorer Err Msg: Could Not Open...

kbcategory: kbref kbnetwork kbsubcategory: msiew95 msnets

Additional reference words: 3.00 ie30 ie3
Version : 3.00
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: April 30, 1997
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