I have 2 questions that may or may not be related.

First is that after some messing around trying to connect to a laptop, my
std network connection from my XP Pro desktop to another PC (in this case WIN
98 SE) has stopped working.
I have determined that the problem is the XP Pro machine as:-
- Allowing it to assign an IP address automatically in TCP/IP returns and
address of 169.254.x.x with subnet 255.255.0.0.
-  From my reading this signifies a failure in DHCP to assign a real IP
address
- If I assign a static IP address of say 192.168.0.2 then I can search for
the other computer and see it but cannot browse it. (NOT to do with sharing
as it's fully shared....!)
- If I then revert to auto IP address, it will NOT find a 192.168 address
but again the 169.254 address.

I have tried ipconfig/release and renew but still the same. I have also
tried the Winsock fix but still the same.

So.... why is DHCP failling to do its thing properly?... and how can I force
it to play ball?

Second question... XP seems to retain memory of previous network
connections. Since I've over the last few years had a variety of network
configurations, my network adapptor is now listed as "network connection 20".
......how can I clear XP's memory of previous setups... may free up resources
to help with the problem above?

Many thanks.

1. 169.254.x.x: You may want to upgrade driver for the NIC or firmware for the router if you have one.

Troubleshooting ipconfig Why the ipconfig shows 0.0.0.0 ip even you have assigned a static ip Why do I get 169.254.x.x IP? An error occurred while renewing interface ...
      www.chicagotech.net/troubleshootingipconfig.htm

      2. network connection 20: Can you delete them? Or you may want to disable the XP automatic search.

      How to disable the XP automatic search
      http://www.howtonetworking.com/disc3_frm.htm



Bob Lin, MS-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
  I have 2 questions that may or may not be related.

  First is that after some messing around trying to connect to a laptop, my
  std network connection from my XP Pro desktop to another PC (in this case WIN
  98 SE) has stopped working.
  I have determined that the problem is the XP Pro machine as:-
   - Allowing it to assign an IP address automatically in TCP/IP returns and
  address of 169.254.x.x with subnet 255.255.0.0.
   -  From my reading this signifies a failure in DHCP to assign a real IP
  address
   - If I assign a static IP address of say 192.168.0.2 then I can search for
  the other computer and see it but cannot browse it. (NOT to do with sharing
  as it's fully shared....!)
   - If I then revert to auto IP address, it will NOT find a 192.168 address
  but again the 169.254 address.

  I have tried ipconfig/release and renew but still the same. I have also
  tried the Winsock fix but still the same.

  So.... why is DHCP failling to do its thing properly?... and how can I force
  it to play ball?

  Second question... XP seems to retain memory of previous network
  connections. Since I've over the last few years had a variety of network
  configurations, my network adapptor is now listed as "network connection 20".
  .....how can I clear XP's memory of previous setups... may free up resources
  to help with the problem above?

  Many thanks.

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