Basically, this is not a linux question, it's a windows question (but playing with linux caused it I think :P). I'm sorry about this, but this forum has the largest and most skilled userbase around - and it seemed the only place where I could get a relaible answer.

Here's the problem, after I unplugged my router, it appears to have stopped asigning my windows box an IP. In ipconfig /all my ip is 0.0.0.0 so is my subnet mask and my DHCP server and there are blanks after other categories too.

The odd thing is that after DHCP enabled: and Autoconfiguration enabled: it says Yes and, the lights are on on my NIC showing there is a local network...

I'm on my sister's box, which is on the LAN also and it is working fine.

I have tried reinstalling the drivers, but to no avail.

Any suggestions?

Again, I apologize that this is a windows question on a linux forum

Thanks a lot

Detriamus

If your router is running a dhcp server (and most do these days), you'll need to plug it back in for IP allocation, or get one of the pc's running a server app.

If your sister's pc has an IP address, what is the expiry time? can it be reassigned an IP with: ipconfig /renew
(just to find out where your IPs are coming from - or is it manually assigned)

I know some antivirus apps will stop clients from broadcasting for a dhcp if they don't already have a valid one, what happens if you disable it and do: ipconfig /renew

Some points to consider.

BU.

I plugged the router back in, of course.

When I try ipnconfig /renew on the problem box, I get the error: RPC server is down. The same happens when my antivirus is disabled.

On my sister's box, the lease (i think this means ip) expires after one hour and using /renew doesn't assign a new ip, just extends the time untill the ip expires (adds another hour).

Thanks for your reply butt-ugly

Detriamus

Your sister's pc is functioning correctly, the lease expire time should just have extended, like it did.

On your sister's PC, do an: ipconfig /all

What is the IP here: DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
is it the router ?

If it is the router, then your sister's pc proofs the dhcp is working, so you need to check your cables...

If it isn't the router? hmm, let us know.

If it still fails, just swap pc's with your sister - fixed.. (just joking..)

BU.

removed:

smarter people than me are already replying

The IP for the DHCP server is the same as the computer's IP and the DNS server - so I assume this ip must be that of the router.

Therefore, the DHCP must be working :P

Meh, I better go check my cables :S

Thanks a lot BU



Detriamus

Jesus, just switched the cables on the faulty box with the cables on my sister's working box...nothing, same problems...

Argh, any other ideas anyone?

What happens if you assign a static IP address to your PC?

Do the network interface lights blink when trying to ping the router or the other PC?

Check the properties on for the NIC does it show auto negotiation. Does the router lights indicate the correct speed?

Moved: This thread is more suitable in General as it is not a LInux question.

Try releasing your lease before you renew:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

Like michaelk said, it's worth checking to see if it is DHCP only problem.

Try hard setting an IP on the workstation... Make it one higher than your sisters and see if it talks.

I don't know if you ever solved the problem, but I do have one question. Did you recently upgrade the machine to Windows XP SP2? If so, check the firewall to make sure it is not blocking traffic.

Dep

lets make sure the NIC is still working. open up a dos window and type ping 127.0.0.1 and see if you get a reply.

if that gives you a reply then reboot your XP box. check to see if you have an IP after reboot. if still all 0.0.0.0 or 169.xxx.xxx.xxx then you can try the /ipconfig release then /ipconfig renew to see if you can pull a new IP.

if that still does not give you a new IP, then change the port you are pluged into on the router. you might have a dead port. then go though the release/renew again.

if still no luv from your router and NIC, then (if it is a PCI NIC and not onboard) remove the NIC from the system (after powering down), boot without the NIC. clean out the system of all the old drivers, you will also want to boot into safe mode (F8 IIRC) and clean out the device manager of anything that looks semi close to the NIC.

then power down again, put the NIC back in (if it is a 3Com, make sure to run the PRE-INSTALL software first. yeah its stupid, but ive seen several 3Coms not work if you do not run this stupid little app) then put the NIC back in and power up, install the drivers clean and try to pull an other IP.

if all that still does not work, double check you do not have an IRQ conflict with anything and if that is not the case, then replace the NIC.

ping 127.0.0.1 see if you get a reply