Why did this happen?

Just an hour back, I typed in www.vbforums.com in the browser window, and it just wouldn't connect.

When I typed in the IP address, however, it worked.

Similarly, i tried ping mars.com, and it couldn't resolve the host, but pinging 164.109.80.47 did work.

What was the problem? I'm guessing something to do with the DNS, but I'm not really clear.

Yeah sounds like your company's or your ISP's DNS servers went down for a little while

Aah, I see.

Can I have your laptop now?

nope, I've got it ;)

Yes after I got it from Plenderj I gave it to si_the_geek...