I am having an issue with an old Acer 1350 laptop which I cannot get connected to the internet via the ethrenet connection as when I plug in the ethrenet cable it always takes ages to try to acquire an IP address and then comes up with the yellow exclamation mark stating no or limited connectivity.I spoke to our IP provider and as the ethrenet settings are for the IP address to be automatically assigned they stated that the problems are likley due to a 'static IP address on the laptop'.This is because the IP address when doing ipconfig is always 169.254.140.197 even when our IP address is not that. It just seems to be automatically deferring to this non-existent IP address.I have searched the internet and have so far tried the following:1. Updated drivers for the ethrenet connection (currently using XP Home Premium SP2).2. Done an IP reset.3. Done a winsock reset.4. Done an ipconfig release.5. Done an ipconfig renew.6. Flushed dns.7. Register dns.However whatever I do it just seems to always say can't renew IP address (when trying to click the repair function) or just says can't acquire IP address.I can't put in a static IP address myself as our IP provider doesn't allow it and I don't know the DNS figures I would need to use.Can anyone help and give me any other troubleshooting tips?Do you think it is a defective etherent connection?Thanks1 person needs an answerI do too

HiFrom your description I assume that you are connected directly to a modem (No Router).IP of 169.254.140.197 is a none functional IP that Windows assigns when it can Not acquire an IP from the External DHCP server.If indeed you have a direct connection, your ISP should give working instructions.We cannot know what their connection’s scheme is.If supported, getting a Cable/DSL Router might be a Good idea. It will keep the connection alive through the Routers WAN port, and will make it easy to "Fix" problems locally. Jack - Microsoft MVP, Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

Eddie,Assuming that Jack's assumption is correct that you are plugging directly into a modem...Most modems will only give out one IP address. If you had another machine plugged into the modem that you disconnected before you connected this machine, then you must unplug the AC power from the modem, wait 20 seconds or so, then plug your modem back in. When it powers back up, then attach your computer to the modem. It might assign an address then.HTH, JW

Hi thanks for the replies.I am directly connecting the laptop to a modem/router (all in one). I did have another machine plugged into the modem/router initially but did try to completely turn off the modem/router, unplug it and leave it a while, then re-turn it all on with the laptop just pluged in but yet again the IP address just keeps defaulting to the 169.254.140.197 and will not recognise our correct IP address.I have tried the laptop at a friends as well and it does exactly the same.Any other suggestions welcome.

Eddie,Thanks for the additional info. Check to make sure that your "DHCP Client" service is running:Start -> Run -> "services.msc"Then look for a line that starts "DHCP Client". Make sure that its status is "Started" and its Startup Type is "Automatic". If not, double-click on that line and make it that way.HTH, JW

Thanks I'll try that and get back to you on how it goes.