Computer unable to obtain an IP address from DHCP server

Bit of a strange problem here.

I have a newly formatted computer running Win2k Server. Two network cards installed - one on-board the other plugged in.

If I connect the on-board nic to our router (2Wire) is wont obtain an ip address automatically. If I connect the plugged in nic to the 2Wire router it picks up an IP address immediately.

Even if I assign an IP address to the on-board nic (that's within range) it's unable to ping the 2Wire router. Windows does report the network card as being connected via the cable.

As a final test I plugged the on-board nic into our main network and it picks an IP address up fine from our main DHCP server. I do however need it to obtain an IP address from the 2Wire router because it's going to be used in a NAT environment.


Any ideas? If it didnt pick an ip address up at all then I'd've said it was a duff nic and just replaced it.

Cheers

 

Are you using the same cable both times?

NAT does not need dynamic IPs. It would be better to assign the address statically rather than with DHCP.

My first thought was duff hardware - but as you say, why would it work on the internal network if the NIC was duff. Could still be a duff cable.

Are you sure the router hasn't been reset and is both on the IP you think it is and has the DHCP service running.

 

Cheers for your reply Reggie.

A 2Wire router whilst assigning a dynamic address via it's dhcp database also allows you to statically assign an address (public in our case) to a computer which overrides the dhcp assigned address so essentially it does have a static address.

I reckon it must be iffy hardware - I'm going to have to disable the on-board nic and install a second nic.

I tried a different cable earlier - same problem. The router hasnt yet been reset - it's working fine with the current web server.

I'll report back after I've put in another network card.

thanks again for your response

 

Ok here's an update on the facts so far:-

- The on-board nic does not receive an ip address from the 2Wire router at all

- External nic 1 (COMPAQ)DOES receive an IP address no problem

- Exteral nic 2 (D-LINK) DOES NOT receive an IP address

- With the on-board nic disabled and just the D-LINK card installed the D-LINK card DOES NOT receive an IP address

- With the on-board nic disabled and just the COMPAQ card installed the COMPAQ card DOES receive an IP address


I dont have any other nics at hand to try. There's a possibility I guess it could be faulty nic hardware but I doubt it.


Any ideas?