Win-XP & ATT-Broadband not seeing Internet

[ronmaagero]

Hello. I posted this in Operating Systems also. I new at this particular forum. Anyway, I can't seem to release a 169.X.X.X TCP/IP address so that I can connect to Internet via broadband. It's a new Dell PC. The only thing I can think of is removing the network board [NIC] and reinstalling after a cold boot of XP without the NIC. I am guessing there's a way to do it via the operating system. Haven't figured it out yet. With AT&T broadband, you basically setup nothing, but add TCP/IP protocol and you're connected all the time. It uses the DHCP, but no DNS and a dynamic IP address. The Win-XP is stuck on this 169.X.X.X address. Does anyone have a clue? Thanks, Ron.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

that 169.xx.xx.xx means that you cant find a DHCP server. If your NIC is configured correctly, make sure that your ISP has your MAC registered (if they do that).

 

[ronmaagero]

This forum is unreal. I figured I get a reply tomorrow or so. Thanks, TheOmegaCode.
AT&T does register the MAC address and that's done. So 169.xx.xx.xx is "bogus" and a sign of can't find DHCP? Sounds like I need to "undo" the NIC installation and redo it to find the DHCP, because I seem to "get through" to the cable modem. I have two other Win-98 PC's attached to a 'dumb' workgroup', but I connected the XP PC directly to the cable modem and still can't see Internet. I tried disablng the XP firewall feature, no go there either. Any other ideas? Maybe remove TCP/IP protocol and re-add it. Have you seen this issue before?
Thanks, Ron.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

aww, now I feel bad. Its taking me a while to post again.

For kicks and giggles, do something for me. Right click your taskbar, and go into the properties. Go to the Advanced Tab, and click Administrative Tools. Then go to start > programs > administrative tools > services. Make sure then DHCP client is set to automatic, and has been started...

 

[FUBAR]

I'm sure you've had a chance to do this since you started, but have you power cycled the modem? I believe the MAC is cached in the RAM of the modem. Should always do that when switching connected devices.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

FUBAR brings up a good point, and whe you power cycle do it as follows. Shut your computer down, turn the modem off, unplug everything from your modem, then after a few seconds plug everything back in, and turn your computer on first? and then your modem...

 

[ronmaagero]

Thanks. I'm thinking the same thing after talking to a colleague. At&T broadband is really 1,2,3 [that simple]. Perhaps the cable modem was off long enough to reset. Will try.
Thanks. -Ron

 

[ronmaagero]

DHCP was started automatically. Again, I'm going for the re-reset in a "slower" fashion.
Thanks.
-Ron

 

[ronmaagero]

Thank you. I hope Im conveying this right. See my other replies about resetting modem. Will give try.
Thanks.
-Ron
PS. Love to reply to everyone in one shot, but sometimes even on the Internet a personal touch should be done.