Client cannot obtain an IP address via DHCP

[aznluvsmc]

Hi,

I have a user working remotely at a hotel and their computer cannot obtain an IP address. Whenever he tries, the error message states there was a problem contacting the DHCP server. We also have 2 other users in the same hotel room who can obtain an IP address from the DHCP server.

The current layout according to the user is as follows:
1 10MBps switch in the room which has a cable running to probably another device (switch, router etc.)
All users are plugged into this switch

This user states that he can never obtain an IP address whenever he leaves his home network. The funny thing is he can obtain an IP address at home for his high speed Internet connection.

Does anyone know what the problem could be. Right now, I configured a static IP for him to get on the Internet in the hotel room but I don't know what the problem could be. I'm going to have him double check to ensure the DHCP client service is running but I don't think that's the problem.

_______________
Doing IT Right!

 

[999Dom999]

Set the network adaptor to DHCP. Go to a dos prompt and do ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew what results do you get then, after doing the renew if unsuccessful what error do you get?

 

[bcastner]

faq779-4625

 

[paul172]

Has he tried plugging into one of the other users ports on the switch. He may be plugged into an uplink port, or something stupid like that!

 

[aznluvsmc]

We've tried a few different ports already and I ensured he wasn't plugging into the uplink port.

The error message when trying to obtain an IP address states that there was an error contacting the DHCP server. Sorry, I don't remember the exact quote of it.

I've sent him the link to download the WinsockFix so hopefully that'll work. I'll have to wait for a reply back from him.

_______________
Doing IT Right!

 

[paul172]

I had this problem recently, and it is a pain in the.....

This was situated on site, no matter how many WINSOCK fixes we tried nothing would work. Affraid it was a rebuild for us, bit drastic, but we tried everything and I mean everything.....twice!!

 

[999Dom999]

I have used that winsock fix before but you say it works fine at home on dhcp, if it suffered from that problem then it wouldn't be able to pick up any addresses and it has a specific error when you to an ipconfig /renew.

Just to make sure there are no settings already set in the adaptor I would uninstall/remove it from device manager reboot windows and let it find the adaptor again this way it will start a fresh.

 

[bcastner]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;167014&Product=win2000

Follow carefully the second half of this MS KB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811259

 

[999Dom999]

Bcastner The process in that article is what the winsock fix tool does automatically.