Can't Aquire IP Address

nheather · 14 Oct 2008 at 11:25

I'm trying to connect my work laptop to my home network using wireless without any success - I can't get the router to serve it a dynamic IP address.

These are things that I have tried

1 - Connect using wired ethernet - works fine

2 - Connect using WEP - fails

3 - Connect using WPA - fails

4 - Connect without encryption - fails

5 - Try a second access point on my network - fails

6 - Dynamic IP addresses are available - plenty of unused in the range

I'm beginning to think it must be the laptop, but wired ethernet works fine and I'm pretty sure I connected in a hotel (at least as far as where it asked me to cough up an obscene amount of money to continue).

Any ideas of what it could be?

Ideally, I'd try a secong wireless device but I don't have one.

(update) This is not true - just remembered my PSP - tried that and it connects fine.

So must be the laptop - any idea what it could be?

Cheers,

Nigel

Gaz1988 · 14 Oct 2008 at 12:06

Have you made sure that your wireless card is set to receive an IP address from DHCP? and hasnt got a static one?

nheather · 14 Oct 2008 at 13:02

I'm pretty sure it would be dynamic but I can't get at the settings to be certain.

I'm guessing that the fact that when I do an ipconfig the address reports as 0.0.0.0 rather than a real network address suggests that it is dynamic rather than static.

I can't get into the settings because they are locked down by the company's IT provider, CSC.

I've just rang the CSC helpdesk and had exactly the conversation I expected.

Me: I'm trying to connect to my home router using wireless. I can initiate the connection but the laptop can't aquire an address from the DHCP server. I can connect fine using wired ethernet and with other wireless devices. Just wondering whether anything needs to be unlocked or set on my laptop first.

CSC: Can you get to the internet, like Yahoo

Me: No I can't get an IP address from the router

CSC: That's a problem with your ISP, you will have to speak to them

Me: No it isn't. It may be my router but as I said I can connect okay with wired and with other wireless devices. Can you confirm whether my laptop is permitted to use wireless, whether there is some setting that is locked down.

CSC: I'll talk to an engineer

Minute pass.

CSC: The engineer says you need to talk to your ISP and they will tell you how to set up your laptop.

I gave up at this point. Obviously Kerry Katona's got a new job after she heard on the news that Iceland was in financial trouble.

Cheers,

Nigel

Gaz1988 · 14 Oct 2008 at 14:17

I would disable your wired card, do an ipconfig/all in cmd and see if it says dhcp enabled beside your wireless card. If it does then try a ipconfig/release then ipconfig/renew

Nix · 14 Oct 2008 at 14:36

Have you updated your firmware and drivers?

nheather · 14 Oct 2008 at 15:33

Have you updated your firmware and drivers?

I won't be able to do this as much of the laptop is locked down to me. I'me lucky in that I have a 'developers build' so at least I have reasonable access.

Still had to make a formal application to the security department to allow me to use USB Sticks.

The joy's of working for a big company.

do an ipconfig/all in cmd and see if it says dhcp enabled beside your wireless card

Yes it does

ipconfig/release then ipconfig/renew

Release is okay, but renew fails because 'unable to contact dhcp server'

Cheers,

Nigel

Gaz1988 · 14 Oct 2008 at 16:18

ahh sorry misread your OP, you cant even connect to the wireless router? nevermind trying to get an IP from it!

what version of windows i on the laptop? are you using windows wireless connection or the wireless cards own software?

nheather · 14 Oct 2008 at 17:36

I can see the router and 'connect' to it (my MAC appears on the list of connected devices) but it can't get an IP from the DHCP so I can't get any further.

If it weren't 'locked down' I set a temporay static IP to prove that it works but CSC stop me from doing that.

Windows XP everywhere.

Cheers,

Nigel

hybrid · 14 Oct 2008 at 17:52

Can't you just assign your wireless NIC a static address?

nheather · 14 Oct 2008 at 17:57

If it weren't 'locked down' I set a temporay static IP to prove that it works but CSC stop me from doing that.

It is a company laptop.

No the laptop is locked down prevent access to administrative functions.

I'm lucky in that I have a 'developer's build' which means that I have a good degree of access, most employees have very little opportunity.

Cheers,

Nigel