tcp/ip not working in a new XP install

This is frustrating - it appears TCP/IP is not working on my XP laptop. I just installed XP with all the latest updates. TCP/IP *was* working but while I was setting up file sharing it stopped.

I have the laptop and a desktop both connected with ethernet to a hub, which in turn is connected to a router. The router is connected to a cable broadband modem.

Both machines can see each others files.

The desktop can access the internet, but the laptop cannot.

The router runs a DHCP server. The laptop is given the address 169.254.55.119 (by APIPR ?) and the subnet mask 255.255.0.0. It should be getting something like 192.168.0.101 and 255.255.255.0. So it sounds like it is not seeing the DHCP on the router. The laptop cannot ping the router (192.168.0.1) or the other machine (192.168.0.100). It can ping loopback (127.0.0.1) and it can ping 169.254.55.119.

I tried both reinstalling tcp/ip (install-->protocol-->c:\windows\inf) and reseting ip (netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt). Neither worked. The laptop just cant see anything through TCP/IP.

Please help.

oh yeah.. and when I click 'Repair' in the 'local area connection' support tab, I get the message:

"The following steps of repair operation failed: Renewing the IP address. Please contact your network administrator or ISP."

Aaaahhhhhrrrr!!!

well first off it the laptop can ping the loopback address then tcp/ip is installed/configured correctly.does the dhcp server have a big enough scope?how many ips is it set to give out?

i`d also use a known good cable(use the one the desktop pc s using to eliminate a possible bad wire(also try a diff port).go to a command prompt and type ipconfig /release renew and see if it picks one up now.

The cable is OK and the router can give out many IP's 100-199. I have had it set up with 2 machines before.

I tried ipconfig /release renew. Message returned "The operation failed as no adapter is an a state permissible for this operation." BUT IT WORKED - well sort of.

The laptop is now getting its address from DHCP and can ping the router and the other machine, BUT cannot access the internet. I cant see the router webpage.

Thanks stone. I am getting closer to working this out.

moved...

Check to see if you can browse to this site: http://66.102.9.104

the internet connection probably just needs to be reconfigured at this point.start-programs-accessories-communication will lead u to the connection wizard.hope this clears it up

Check firewall settings If you were setting up file sharing when it took a crap that would be a good place to start.