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Unable to contact dhcp server

Discussion in 'Networking (Hardware & Software)' started by abrucks, 2009/09/07.

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  1. 2009/09/07
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    I am having a maddening problem. my computer has lost the connection to the dhcp server. When I do ipconfig I get the 169.254... ip address, instead of a valid one, the subnet mask is also invalid 255.255.0.0 I tried ipconfig release /renew/all and the netsh commands but I get various messages such as 'unable to connect to the dhcp server request has timed out'. I replced the net card with a new linksys wired card, it is wired directly to the cable router. A separate wireless computer is able to connect.
    Other things I have tried: in network connections, properties, disable/ enable. Replaced the net cable, changed the cable to a different port on the router. I downloaded a automated winsock fix from microsoft support page to a jump drive and ran it on the problem computer. I have rebooted the pc many times, unplugged and replugged the router, which was verizon's sole suggestion. The computer is an antique dell 4300, from about 2001, it takes about 20 minutes for every reboot, so this has taken a huge amount of time for the past 2 weeks.
    One thing I have noticed in network connections is the new linksys etherfast card does not have the mini check mark noting it as the default connection. The other connection, the msn butterfly, is greyed out. I don't know if it needs that check.
     
    abrucks,
    #1
  2. 2009/09/07
    aggletonm

    aggletonm Inactive

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    Various:

    Have you a link light on the router?

    Is the card in the PC set to auto/auto?
    Can you get to the router from the wireless computer? If so have you tried reserving an IP address and then using that on the PC that isn't working?

    Only my two pence worth as networking isn't my real strength.
     
    Last edited: 2009/09/07
    aggletonm,
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  4. 2009/09/07
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes the light is ok on the router, yes the wireless pc, the one I "borrowed" from my teenager is able to connect.
    As far as reserving an ip address, in netwrokconnections / properties/ tcp ip/ is all set to automatic, i ahve not tried entering a ip, subnet mask and default gateway addresses, as I am pretty sure that xp requires these to be set by the router / dhcp server, (which the computer cannot connect to.)
     
    abrucks,
    #3
  5. 2009/09/07
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Rt click Network icon on Desktop > select Properties > rt click LAN (linksys) > select Properties.

    Double click TCP/IP Internet Protocol > Advanced button > wins tab > uncheck enable lmhosts > check enable netbios over tcp/ip
     
    TonyT,
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  6. 2009/09/07
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    Tony, I didn't try that before. There was no change, did a reboot, no change, clicked on 'repair network connections' which was wishful thinking. In local area connection properties, the icon for the linksys, now has a mini yellow no connectivity triangle,

    also on the box for advanced tcp/ip setings the WINS addresses, inorder of use, window is empty. Don't know if it is supposed to be empty?
     
    abrucks,
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  7. 2009/09/08
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    You install the latest drivers for that NIC?
     
    TonyT,
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  8. 2009/09/08
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    NIC? I replaced the ethernet card because I could not get the connection restarted on the d-link card I had. with the new linksys card i installed xp drivers from the cd, but without a connection I can't get anything newer. i tried to ipconfig renew and just get the message 'unable to connect to dhcp server' which I thin is why i get the 169.254... ip address
     
    abrucks,
    #7
  9. 2009/09/08
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    from ipconfig all
    ip routing enabled-----no
    WINS proxy enabled ----no
    connection specific local area connection----- Linksys etc.....
    Physical address00-22-6B.....
    dhcp enabled----yes
    autoconfig enabled----yes
    autocofig ip 169.254.....
    subnetmask255.255.0.0
    default gateway169.254...
     
    abrucks,
    #8
  10. 2009/09/09
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I'd start troubleshooting the hardware first...
     
    Arie,
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  11. 2009/09/09
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    NIC = Network Interface Card.

    Did you have issues PRIOR to the connection going buggy, such as malware infections, etc? Some malware hoses the winsock libraries.

    Try double clicking Network Places icon on Desktop and run the Network Setup Wizard. Be sure to select "this comp connects to the Internet through a residential gateway or through... "

    You can also try uninstalling the Linksys NIC via Device Manager. Also uninstall any Linksys software, it's not needed at all. All you need is the drivers. Then shutdown comp. If have more than one PCI slot put the Linksys into a different slot. At boot, Windows should auto load the drivers. If no joy, use the cd and vrowse to the drivers folder on the CD and don't let the Linksys setup program run at all, just locate thye drivers and install them.
     
    Last edited: 2009/09/09
    TonyT,
    #10
  12. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    OK Arie, such as....? Old D link card evidently not the problem as I cannot connect with new linksys card. Yes this is an old pc, but it does everything I need. Except configure the ip and connect.
     
    abrucks,
    #11
  13. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    reinstalled the verizon fios connection from the cd, rec'd this pop up " Your internet connection is not working- wired adapter is connected but no wireless adapters were found" only option is to click ok, then I clicked on "fix my fios internet connection"
    both lights on linksys card are on, pop up again says that it cannot connect to router. Changed cable, at verizon prompt, again. no fix.
    I don't think I had any malware problems, but they can be hidden.
    No fix in re-running networksetup wizard...
    next I am trying device manager and then changing pci slot...
    ...waiting...xp detcted the new hardware....
    verizon fios connection wizard popped up....
    still unable to aquire a network address from the dhcp
    will try the change the slot now, another reboot....
     
    abrucks,
    #12
  14. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    new pci slot for linksys, same problem, limited or no connectivity, unable to contact dhcp server, 169.254 ip address...
     
    abrucks,
    #13
  15. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes, also tried different port on router.
     
    abrucks,
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  16. 2009/09/09
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    Have you tried a different network cat5 cable yet?
     
    TonyT,
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  17. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    can i try to enter the codes manually in xp? in tcp/ip properties? such as...
    ip 192.168.1.1
    subnet 255.255.255.0
    D Gateway 192.168.0.1
    dns 202.27.158.40

    ???
     
    abrucks,
    #16
  18. 2009/09/09
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    yes I tried a blue cable, a white one and a greenish yellow one. I might have a black one somewhere, then I am kind of out of colors :)
     
    abrucks,
    #17
  19. 2009/09/10
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    If router ip = 192.168.0.1:
    ip: 192.168.0.10
    subnet: 255.255.255.0
    gateway: 192.168.0.1
    dns: 192.168.0.1 (let the router handle all dns queries)

    If router ip = 192.168.1.1 then change above to reflect.

    If no joy, read the "sticky" threads atop the "removing spyware" forum here at windowssbbs, create a new thread called "possible winsocks corruption ", and post logs as instructed.
     
    TonyT,
    #18
  20. 2009/09/10
    abrucks

    abrucks Inactive Thread Starter

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    no joy. will read and post.
     
    abrucks,
    #19
  21. 2009/09/11
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I'd also try another network card, or try this Linksys card in a 2nd system.
     
    Arie,
    #20
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