Vista - Cannot communicate with DNS server

Help me connect to wireless. I can do it fine at home but when I go anywhere else it doesn't work. Please help me figure it out.

I ran an ipconfig and pinged like other forum posts indicated and this is what I get:

Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6000]
Copyright (c) 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
C:\Users\owner>ipconfig
Windows IP Configuration
Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix.:
Link-local IPv6 Address.....: fe80::2d53:33ee:4596:4d60%9
IPv4 Address................: 10.117.7.137
Subnet Mask ................: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway ............: 10.117.7.254
Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection*6:

Media State....................: Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix.:
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection*7:
Connection-specific DNS Suffix:
Link-local IPv6 Address.....: fe80::5efe:10.117.7.137%13
Default Gateway ............:
Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:
Media State ....................: Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix .:
C:\Users\owner>PING 216.109.112.135
Pinging 216.109.112.135 with 32 bytes of data:
Request timed out.
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=51ms TTL=241
Reply from 216.109.112.135: bytes=32 time=51ms TTL=241
Request timed out.
Ping statistics for 216.109.112.135:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 2, Lost = 2 (50% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 51ms, Maximum = 51ms, Average = 51ms

Do you have it set to DHCP or static IP? How is Internet Protocol/ TCP/IP set up on your connection? Is your wireless enabled to hunt for connections?

My wireless should be able to hunt for connections. It shows when I have other wireless options in the area.

How do I check for this?
"Do you have it set to DHCP or static IP? How is Internet Protocol/ TCP/IP set up on your connection?"

You want it set to obtain both IP and DNS. go to a command prompt and type ipconfig/all to see if its obtaining DNS. You can try free DNS 4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2 but they can cause security issues. Make sure you are connecting the the free wireless site. At airports, you usually have a buy a wireless card with username/password to connect.

I'm currently at work which has free internet connections. I've also tried it at coffee shop and library. What will it say if it is obtaining the DNS?

In ipconfig/all you will see DNS entries. If DNS is blank, you are not getting them. Make sure both IP and DNS are set to obtain. Disable the hardware LAN connection and only leave wireless enabled. reboot. Obtain a wireless connection from your office. Verify ipconfig/all. If you don't get DNS, take with your IT staff.

Apparently my computer was set up with a static DNS server, I switched it to automatically obtain it and now it works!

Thanks SO much for your help!

no problem.