APIPA problem - xp 1

[benshirley]

Help!
I've been having a futile and frustrating time trying to set up a wireless link from a Win XP PC. It's resorting to the 169. etc APIPA IP address and I don't seem to be able to change it.

Router is a Linksys BEFW11S4.
Wireless adapter is D-Link USB DWL 120+.

In network propoerties it tells me that I am connected to the wireless network I want, the signal strength is good, WEP is set up OK (as per other wireless linked machines).
I've tried ipconfig /release and /renew but it can't find the DHCP server (router).
Tried deselecting all protocols etc, disbling net adapter, powering everything down for ages, then rebooting everything and enabling/reselecting protocols. Still no valid IP.

Can it be a problem with the D-Link adapter/driver if XP says it is connected? I've already deinstalled/reinstalled several time and updated to latest from D-Link.com.

Thanks for any help at all,

desperately,

Ben

 

[bcastner]

Several thoughts for you:

. Repair your Winsock service using this wonderful utility to do the job:

http://members.shaw.ca/techcd/VB_Projects/WinsockFix.zip

. You either use the native XP Wireless Zero Configuration service, or you use the adapter client. You cannot use both at the same time happily.

. If you want to use the native XP service, upgrade it:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=826942

. Please read these MS KB articles:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;821400

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;324024

. Not all client software is the same. In my LANs I replace the Windows service and the OEM manufacturer clients with the Funk Software Odyssey client. They offer a free trial, and for a business setting I strongly recommend you explore client options such as this:

http://www.funk.com/radius/wlan/wlan_radius.asp

There are other clients available, Google the issue. I use the Funk Odyssey client and can testify it simplifies my wireless LAN job a great deal and is modestly priced.

 

[benshirley]

Thanks for the VERY rapid response.
I've updated the Wireless zero configuration client already, without really understanding its function - I was unaware of that page in the admin tools and some of what I read in those MS articles suggests you could be right in you diagnosis of the problem. I'll give it a try later and let you know how I get on.

Thanks again!
Ben

 

[benshirley]

YESSSS!!!!

That did it! Thanks again for the help. I can't believe that I joined and posted a question and got the right answer within 2 hrs on New Years Day, PC works great now.

Happy New Year to you!

Ben

 

[bcastner]

Happy New Year to you, Ben.

And welcome to Tek-Tips.

Bill Castner