Computer can't find DHCP server! :-( 1

[Angrod]

Hey y'all, new here. I've had a strange problem on my Win XP Pro machine come up today. Here's the layout...

I connect to the internet through a cable modem connected to a D-Link Gateway. Each computer on the network is plugged into the gateway. The computer I am typing on is working just fine, having an IP address automatically assigned to it by the DHCP server on the gateway. However, another computer set to obtain its IP address automatically all of a sudden stopped getting on the internet today.

I have had this problem before, and unplugging the cable modem for a few seconds seemed to always fix it. Well, this time, even after unplugging it for over a minute, it still didn't work. I have tried everything I know how (which isn't much). By giving the computer a static IP I can ping successfully the other computer and the gateway. The good computer can actually see the bad one on the network with its static IP address and transfer files between them. The bad computer cannot connect to the internet however. At first I thought it might be a network adapter problem, but I installed a second adapter on the machine from an old computer and it is having the same problems. IPconfig shows an IP address of 169.254.x.x and a subnet of 255.255.0.0 being automatically generated.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ChicagoTechNet]

quoted from

http://www.chicagotech.net

Can't obtain/renew IP addresses from the DHCP server

Symptoms: 1) you have a DHCP client which may not be able to obtain/renew IP addresses from the DHCP server intermittently. 2) after setup a workstation to obtain an IP address from DHCP, the machine can't ping others and ipconfig /all shows Autoconfiguration IP Address. . . : 169.254.x.x.

Resolutions: 1) If this is XP, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP.
2) Use the Network Diagnostics tool to identify any failed settings. To do this, go to Help and Support>Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose problems>Network Diagnostics>Scan your system. When the process finishes, check for any items marked "FAILED" in red, expand those categories, and view the additional details about what the testing showed.
3) Assign a static ip on the client and ping the DHCP server. If you can't ping the DHCP server, check the connection and hardware.
4) If you can ping the DHCP after assigning static ip, check the DHCP settings.
5) Make sure no firewall is running on your LAN.
6) Run Repair this connection if it is XP. Or use netsh to reset TCP/IP configuration.
7) If it is win98/w2k, remove and reinstall TCP/IP.
8) Try to upgrade the new NIC driver.
9) Make sure you don't run out of IPs in the DHCP scope.
10) If you use a router as DHCP, you may want to update the firmware.


Robert Lin, MS-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Windows, Network, Internet, VPN, Routing and How to at

http://www.ms-mvps.com

 

[smah]

Try the utiliity discussed in faq779-4625.

 

[GlenJohnson]

I connect to the internet through a cable modem connected to a D-Link Gateway. Each computer on the network is plugged into the gateway. The computer I am typing on is working just fine, having an IP address automatically assigned to it by the DHCP server on the gateway. However, another computer set to obtain its IP address automatically all of a sudden stopped getting on the internet today.

I have had this problem before, and unplugging the cable modem for a few seconds seemed to always fix it.

Most isp's don't like you giving out fixed ip's. All your machines should have ip's given out automatically. My isp had me "clone" my mac address on the router so I only have the one ip going out to the internet. All machines internally are using dhcp which is given out by my router. Internally, all machines are 192.168.2.x, while my modem is 12.x.x.x. (I don't remember the exact number, but it's totally different.) Contact your cable provider and they should be able to help. My network is wireless, and the router can handle over 250 machines, and it works great. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
If you're from Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin feel free to join the Tek-Tips in Chicago, Illinois Forum.

TTinChicago
Johnson Computers

 

[Angrod]

Hey guys, thanks SO MUCH for the help. Turned out the utility that smah linked to did just the trick. I still can't believe it. Thanks a bunch smah!

 

[smah]

You're welcome, glad it worked.