Network changes from 'assigned by DHCP' to 'automatic private address'

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28 Jul 2008
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Thanks for taking the time.

My home network consists of two pcs connected via a cable modem running into a linksys WRT54GS router, which uses DHCP protocol. Operating system XP.

As the title says, sometimes, seemingly randomly, the network changes from 'assigned by DHCP' to 'automatic private address'. The change is noted on both pcs. Here are the key details.

I've left some of the information out from the 'network connection details' window below, listing what I thought was relevant. In 'network connections', the connection on the downstairs pc (the one with the modem) is listed as this when it works:

Address type: Assigned by DHCP
IP address: 192.168.1.xx
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server: 192.168.1.1
DNS Server: (two listed)

It's listed as this when it suddenly changes and cuts out the connection:

Address type: Automatic private address
IP address: 169.254.xx.xx
Subnet mask: 255.255.0.0
DNS server: (nothing listed)

I don't know what else to try, I've changed the router firmware to an older version and back again, reset the modem and router, checked all the ethernet connections were clicked in place, changed the ethernet cables port positions, hit the repair button on the local area connection status window, uninstalled the network adaptor and let windows recognise it again, and released and refreshed the ip address in the 192.168.1.1 router configuration page. No joy. Perhaps there are other option on this page I should try changing?

This has been randomly changing every few days for a little while now, and usually changes back after perhaps a few hours.

Any ideas? Thanks then.
 
Last edited:
The 169.x.x.x address is one that Windows will use if it can't get one from elsewhere. Sounds like the DHCP lease is expiring but the PC can't renew it. If you do an "ipconfig /all" it should show the expiry time, if that co-incides with the change then that point to the DHCP lease not being renewed.

If the PCs are desktops it might be worth setting them up with fixed IPs rather than using DHCP and see if that helps.
 
The lease time is let to 1 day, thanks, next time it changes I'll check the IP config details.

I have tried setting the lease time to 9999, so it won't have to reissue IPs. Do you think this is wise?

A fixed IP is another word for a static IP?
 
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