Can't connect to DHCP-Can't IPconfig /renw

Hi Everyone...

Please bare with me, I am new to this board and new to networking. Here is my problem.

I have a wireless router, with 2 PC's (Comp. 1 & 2) and one laptop connected to it...connected through a cable modem. The laptop is the only one running wireless-ly. I was so proud of myself, because I had no problem setting everything up and the three computers were talking to each other successfully, until....

I was playing around with Partician Magic (in attempts to learn more) and I ended up having to reload my Operating System on Comp. 1. I loaded Windows 98 on the first partician (FAT 32) and Windows XP Pro on the second partician (NTFS). Exactly as I did the first time. Everything appeared to be fine, except when I went to get on the internet, I couldn't. It is giving me an IP address of 169.254.xxx.xx.

I tried IPconfig /renew and it said "Cannot connect to DHCP" and then timed out. I searched precious posts and followed the suggestions that were given, such as:

* Unplugging the router and waiting for a few minutes before plugging back in.

* Replacing the cord.

* Assigning my own IP address (which it wouldn't let me do, unless I was doing it wrong?)

* Ran Winsockxpfix

Any suggections would be SO greatly appreciated! I thank you kindly in advance!

Petra

 

Same problem on both boots?
What kind of network interface card (NIC)?
Did you load the correct drivers for the NIC?

 

I know I am going to sound real dumb here, but in answer to your questions....

Same problem on both boots?
Not sure what you mean...both boots?

What kind of Network Interface Card?
Not sure...how do I find out?

Did you load the correct drivers?
Yes, I assume so because the NIC was working just fine for a long time - until I had to re-format the drive and re-load the Operating system.

Please forgive my ignorance...thank you for responding!

Petra

 

You loaded 2 operating systems. Which OS are you running on?

If you did a clean install (Format) the drivers aren't installed with the OS. You will have to find the correct drivers for the NIC.
Look in device manager and you will probably see several yellow question marks.

 

Ahhhhh...ok, thanks

I am running under XP.

I looked in Device Manager....there are no yellow exclamation points anywhere...

Currently, I am reloading both operating systems again, seeing if I have different results this time.

Will let you know the outcome.

Thank you so much for your help!

Petra

 

New Development...

I reloaded both Operating Systems....

Win98 on the first partician

WinXP on the second partician

The router light that signifies connectivity goes off as soon as I boot up into XP. It stays on and is fine in Win98?

Any Ideas?

Petra

 

Sounds like the XP firewall is blocking everything.

 

Thank you so so so much for responding!!!

Unfortunately, I unchecked XP's firewall and that didn't seem to be the problem! I am still working on this....6 hours later! UGH!!!!!

Any other thoughts are certainly welcome!

Petra

 

Hi all....

Well, here I am days later and still have not resolved my problem....not for lack of trying though....

I still cannot get internet access when i am in XP.

I have done everything I can think of and still --- "cannot connect to DHCP and cannot renew IP address "

I am running 98SE on 1st Primary Partician and XP on 2nd Partician....

My connectivity light on the router lights up when I boot up into 98, but as soon as I boot up into XP, the light goes out.

The firewalls are disconnected and I an doubting it is a spyware problem seeings how I just got done re-0installing the 2 operating systems AGAIN.

This time I disconnected my router during installation and waited to hook it up until I was booted up the first time in XP (was just trying anything)

PLEASE HELP>>>>>>

Thank you so so so much in advance!!!

Petra

 

HOORAH ​

I finally figured it out!!! After days and days of trying everything under the sun, including un-installing and re-installing the OS's, swapping cables, disabling firewalls, winsock, you name it....I tried it!!!!

Guess what it was????​

I needed to update my NIC drivers.

Apparently the drivers I had were not compatible with XP, which is why I had NO connectivity when I booted up in XP, but yet I had connectivity when I booted in Win98.

For anyone else who has this same problem....check your NIC drivers.

This is what I did....

Right-click on My Computer
Click on Manage
Click on Device Manager
Expand Network Adapters
Right-click on your Network Card
Click on Update Driver
Follow the instructions from there

Hope this helps - after searching for the answer to this problem, I saw so many people with the same exact dilemna. I am sure there are many reasons that could cause this error to occur, but this is one thing you could troubleshoot and rule out as the possible problem. Hopefully it will work and w a l l a

Thanks all!

Petra

 

I was trying to lead ya that way last week.

 

Hey Scott....

Thanks so much for your help...Forgive me, I can be a bit dense at times . I am in my 2nd year of college (at 35 years old), majoring in IT, with a concentration on Networking.
So, I am still a "baby" at this stuff...but, I am learning, slowly but surely! I know one thing for sure....I will know next time to check my drivers when a problem occurs! (haha)

Thanks again!

Petra