WinXP SP2 will not connect to LAN- hangs on 'Acquiring Network Address'

[Stattlich]

I have an old Compaq PIII 800MHz 512MB system I'm working on for the girlfriend's mother that is having NIC issues. It will not connect to my router or wireless access point with either a D-Link 530TX+ Ethernet card or a D-Link DWL-G510 Wireless card. An attempt to connect to my network with either device results in Windows XP hanging on the 'Acquiring Network Address' stage.

I have a WinXP SP2 Thinkpad connecting to the same access point wirelessly without issue, so it's probably not the router/WAP itself. What would you guys do?

 

[Stattlich]

Anyone? I need a fix!

 

[Fardringle]

Make sure that the "DHCP Client" service is present and started in the Services applet in the Control Panel (Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services).

Also, make sure your router is set up to distribute more IP addresses than you are currently using so that there is an address available for the in-law's laptop.

 

[DaiShan]

Set a static internal ip address on the adapter under tcp/ip properties. Should take care of the problem. Just make sure the ip address isn't already in use by another device on the network.

 

[JackMDS]

Assuming Router's correct settings.

In General, you can debug the Network Settings of a computer by following these steps.

Step One. Check the Network parameters in the Computer's Device Manager. Make sure that the Network Card drivers are installed correctly; i.e. there is No IRQ conflict, and No Ghost installation. http://www.ezlan.net/faq#ghost

Step Two. Verify Basic network setting in the OS: http://www.ezlan.net/Installing#verify If the above two Steps indicates that every thing looks good but functionally it does not work.

Step Three. Check (and repair if necessary) the Socket Layers, Winsock, and or refresh the TCP/IP Stack. http://www.ezlan.net/clean#refreshnet

:sun:

 

[Stattlich]

Thanks for all the great responses! But this is the one that fixed the problem- the network came right up. I went into the DHCP properties and fiddled with it so it started every time the system rebooted, so I think I'm good for now.

Originally posted by: Fardringle
Make sure that the "DHCP Client" service is present and started in the Services applet in the Control Panel (Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Services).

Also, make sure your router is set up to distribute more IP addresses than you are currently using so that there is an address available for the in-law's laptop.