Auto vs Assigned IP address.

[PVR]

I have 3 PCs on a wireless home network (2 XP/3 and one Vista). When I
set up the network some time ago I set up all three PCs to obtain an
IP address automatically.

Recently one of the XPs would not connect to the network but was
searching for an address. Temporarily I gave an address ("Use the
following IP address.") and that PC is now connected. When I try to
"Obtain an IP address automatically" I cannot get a connection to the
network or the 'Net.

How do I make this PC obtain an IP address automatically?

Many thanks,

Peter.

 

[John Wunderlich]

I have 3 PCs on a wireless home network (2 XP/3 and one Vista).
When I set up the network some time ago I set up all three PCs to
obtain an IP address automatically.

Recently one of the XPs would not connect to the network but was
searching for an address. Temporarily I gave an address ("Use the
following IP address.") and that PC is now connected. When I try
to "Obtain an IP address automatically" I cannot get a connection
to the network or the 'Net.

How do I make this PC obtain an IP address automatically?

Make sure you don't have a firewall that is blocking DHCP.
(Temporarily disable any firewalls and retry)

Also verify that your DHCP Client Service is running:
Start->Run->"services.msc"
Make sure "DHCP Client" is listed and status is "Started".

Also verify that your router doesn't have security in effect (e.g.
MAC Filtering) that would prevent it from being assigned an address.

HTH,
John