• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Problem getting IP address for Laptop

R

Rudee

Lifer
I have a laptop connected via ethernet to the Network, however I cannot obtain an IP address. Windows NT Workstation gives the message "DHCP Client could not obtain an IP address".

I have TCP/IP installed and the adapter card tests out fine.

Any ideas what might be causing this?

Thanks in advance.
 
Do you have a link light on the ethernet card? does this network support DHCP?

Are there any other protocols and if so do they work?


 
The network supports DHCP. Other laptops have been able to connect and get IP's automatically, however they were running Win95/98. This one is running NT Workstation, so the configuration is slightly different.

I removed the card and tried it on another laptop and it works fine.

For some reason I don't get a light on this one.
 
Check the event viewer on NT to see if the network card driver loaded. Also once the computer is booted up and you've logged into the workstation go to a command prompt and type "ipconfig/all" to see if you picked on up. If not then type "ipconfig /renew" just to make sure you can get IP connectivity. If all else fails then manually specifiy IP settings to rule out the NIC driver as a possibility.

 
Ok, reinstalled driver and connectivity light is now on. Still can't get IP from DHCP. TCP/IP and NetBEUI are both show to be working.
 
Have you run winipcfg and checked your ip address? Do a start-run winipcfg, click on more info, then release all, renew all. If you get all zeros you are not reaching your server, or DHCP services are down on your server. Can you ping your server? You can also test your card with a loopback test (ping 127.0.0.1), and by pinging the card's ip address (the card address that you see in winipcfg). We have to lease new IP addresses for laptops every time they travel to another plant, and also when they come back. Also - if you don't need NetBUEI, get rid of it! NetBUEI can cause you problems.
 
(NT Workstation) - I ran ipconfig/all - all zeros! DHCP services might be down, but it's been over a day since this problem first came about. I'll troubleshoot some more and give it some time.

Thanks for the help.
 
What kind of network is it? Do you get a logon prompt? Can you access files on the network? Did the laptop ever have an IP on this network, or is this the first time you tried to get it one? Was it not connected to the network for an extended time recently (like over the holidays)? Perhaps you lost your IP lease...

Go to someone else's PC that you confirmed has working IP --preferably the closest person to where your network jack is located, as it's a good bet that he/she is on the same segment. Note his/her DNS servers, gateway, subnet mask, and IP; from his/her computer, ping some IPs above and below until you find one that doesn't respond (timed out). Go back to your laptop and manually assign the IP, DNS, GW, SM. Restart and pray. 😀 Also, you can try to bring your laptop to a the "good IP" place, plug it in and see what happens.

Note: Even if it works, this is just a temporary fix. Maybe the IP that didn't respond was previously being used by a computer, printer, etc. that happened to be off/disconnected, so snagging its IP will create a conflict (the first one to boot up will get the IP/internet). You should see a little popup box if/when that happens. Ideally, you should contact the network admin to have him help you with the IP problem...
 


<< I ran ipconfig/all - all zeros! DHCP services might be down, but it's been over a day since this problem first came about. >>

Try ipconfig /renew &amp; ipconfig /all again, as you might have caught it right before it grabbed a number (cross your fingers). If your IP is still all 0's, then your IP settings may be misconfigured, the DHCP server may be out of IPs, etc. At least it's not a 169#, the default.

To check if the DHCP server is out of IPs, release someone else's IP, shut off his/her PC, and then re-run ipconfig on your laptop to see if you get that same number. Do you have an in-house IT guy/girl?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top