unable to contact your DHCP server

This is a two-part question. I am working with a desktop that I just installed a fresh XP on. The specs are as follows

motherboard - ECS K8M890M-M
ram - kingston ddr800 two 1 gig sticks
video card - geforce 7900gt
processor - x86 family 15 model 67 stepping 2 authenticAMD ~2593 Mhz

The problem is as follows. I am obviously getting the error in the title and I have no idea whether its a problem with the network or the drivers that run the LAN. So question 1 is: The Local Area connection says "VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter". I do not know if this is the right one, when I installed it the Local Area Connection said "VIA Compatable Fast Ethernet Adapter".

Question 2 is: If this is not the problem how do I resolve the issue? The network connection is limited or no connection. I have tried the cmd release and renew obviously and tried a couple of other things people have posted around the interwebs but nothing seems to work. Any help would be appreciated.

I forgot to add that my router is a d-link WBR-2310 and my modem is a Motorola SB5101 model

 

If you have done what is required to setup the router, then you may have to contact your ISP.

Did your router come with a quick setup CD?

It usually has the ability to auto-detect your ISP's DHCP server and domain name if they use one (ex. xxx.xxx.comcast.net). If it was a straight connection from your modem, then your machine would accomplish this. Your ISP may have the MAC address of a particular machine registered. If different from the one you are currently trying to connect, you'll have to contact them and get it changed. If you want to connect more than one computer and your ISP has only leased you one IP address, you'll have to clone that registered machine's MAC address using the router. It all depends.

It may be as simple as "cycling the power": First, make sure the modem and router are connected to each other via network cable or USB cable. Turn-off (unplug) both modem and router and let sit for 2 minutes. Then plug in (turn on) modem and allow all the lights to come on except the activity light (power, send, receive, internet). Then plug in (turn on) router.


It sounds like your drivers are OK. The listed title of a piece of hardware sometimes changes when you install drivers.

Anybody correct me if I'm wrong. I may have explained the ISP thing incorrectly, but it's correct to the best of my experience.

 

Well, being that the error is from the computer, the DHCP server in this case is more like the router, not the ISP. The router acts as a DHCP server for the computers that connect to it, similar to the way an ISP's server is a DHCP server for many of the modems that connect to it.

Make sure that your router is set as a DHCP server. I was going to try to give you exact instructions on how to do so but I can't seem to find too much technical information on it without having to download manuals and such. It should be pretty easy to find on the web managment page.

Open up your browser and type the IP of the router. Will probably be 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1. You can check by opening command prompt(go to run and type cmd) and typing the command "ipconfig" The router's IP should be listed by "gateway." Once you type that into the browser you'll need to enter the username and password. Unless you changed it, it should be the defaults. The defaults should be in the documentation that came with the router. Generally it will just be some combination of "admin" and blank. If you can't find it in the documentation or figure it out using various combinations of admin and leaving it blank then let me know, it should be really easy to find.

Once you get into the router look for anything that has to do with DHCP. Usually it will have the option of it being enabled and disabled. It should be enabled. If it's enabled, it should give some more options, like the maximum number of DHCP clients and the start and end range of IPs to assign.