Computer not always assigning random IP address.

[addictedtochaos]

I'm not sure if this is the proper forum to post this in so if not please
re-direct me to the correct one.

Lately my computer has been randomly disconnecting from the internet, at
first I thought it was a modem/router problem but since I am still able to
connect to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, I do not believe that to be the
case.

When it happens windows and comcast desktop doctor tell me that the computer
is using a static IP address and "click here" to fix it, sometimes that works
but not always.

I would very much appreciate it if someone could tell me what is going on,
what could be causing it, and how to keep it from happening. This has been
happening with more and more frequency and has become incredibly annoying.

 

[Bob Lin \(MS-MVP\)]

Posting the result of ipconfig /all may help.

--
Bob Lin, Microsoft-MVP, MCSE & CNE
Networking, Internet, Routing, VPN Troubleshooting on
http://www.ChicagoTech.net
How to Setup Windows, Network, VPN & Remote Access on
http://www.HowToNetworking.com

 

[Lem]

I'm not sure if this is the proper forum to post this in so if not please
re-direct me to the correct one.

Lately my computer has been randomly disconnecting from the internet, at
first I thought it was a modem/router problem but since I am still able to
connect to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, I do not believe that to be the
case.

When it happens windows and comcast desktop doctor tell me that the computer
is using a static IP address and "click here" to fix it, sometimes that works
but not always.

I would very much appreciate it if someone could tell me what is going on,
what could be causing it, and how to keep it from happening. This has been
happening with more and more frequency and has become incredibly annoying.

What version of Windows, including service pack?

Assuming that your computer is connected by Ethernet to a router which
is then connected to your cable modem (or directly to the cable) --

1. Reboot and connect as usual.

2. Go to Network Connections, right click on the icon for your Local
Area Connection and select Properties.

You should see a list under "This connection uses the following items"
that includes:

Client for Microsoft Networks
QoS Packet Scheduler
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

3. If your list is different, describe how.

4. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

5. On the General tab, ensure that both of the following radio buttons
are selected and then click OK:
Obtain an IP address automatically
Obtain DNS server automatically

6. Click the Alternate Configuration tab. Confirm that the radio button
for "Automatic private IP address" is selected.

7. OK your way out.

The next time that the problem occurs:

1. Open a Command Prompt window (Start > Run > type "cmd" (without
quotes) and click OK

2. In the Command Prompt window, type "ipconfig /all" (without quotes)
and press enter. After the information displays, click the icon in the
top left corner of the window. In the drop down menu, select "Edit" then
"Select All" then press Enter. Now paste the contents of the clipboard
either into a Notepad document (if you want to save the info) or
directly into your next post here.

 

[addictedtochaos]

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HOMECOMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Belkin

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : IBM Netfinity 10/100 Ethernet
Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-AC-66-A6-E4
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Saturday, October 17, 2009
2:56:54 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Sunday, October 17, 2010 2:56:54
AM

 

[Lem]

Now post results of ipconfig /all when you get one of these "random
disconnects."

 

[AJR]

Evidently the ipconfig results you posted were at the time of "Internet
disconnect" - note "...DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . :
192.168.2.1...." - the address is the router - the router provides DHCP
functions however DNS is a function of the ISP provider.

Review your connections IP/TCP properties and verify that the DNS server
address is to be obtain automatically.

 

[addictedtochaos]

XP service pack 2.

I will be sure to do that the next time it happens, unfortunately that could
be in 10 seconds, 3 days, or even weeks.

"Lem" wro

 

[addictedtochaos]

OK it just happened again here is the ipconfig/all results from it being
offline.

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : HOMECOMPUTER
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Unknown
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
DNS Suffix Search List. . . . . . : Belkin

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection 5:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . : Belkin
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : IBM Netfinity 10/100 Ethernet
Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-04-AC-66-A6-E4
Dhcp Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
IP Address. . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.2
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.2.1
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, October 22, 2009
2:38:11 AM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, October 22, 2010 2:38:11
AM