Reinstall TCP/IP - 169.254.* Addresses

Resetting the Winsock doesn't always work using the command that was started in XP SP2. Resetting via one of the many reset tools doesn't always do the trick either. Sometimes, the stack is corrupted and needs to be replaced. This is VERY specific so printing this page out is probably in your best interest if you're going to attempt it.

 Before attempting the following make sure you read and understand Registry Editing Warning.

• First, disconnect any Ethernet cables and turn off any automatically connecting services.

• Next...

1. Click Start button
2. Click Run...
3. Type regedit
4. Click OK
5. In the registry editor dig down to the following key and expand it:



6. Find "Winsock" in the left pane and right-click on it, then select Delete
7. Find "Winsock2" and do the same thing
8. Reboot your PC

• When your PC is started again:

1. Open the control panel (be sure to select Classic View once opened):
   • Click Start button
   • Click Run...
   • Type control
   • Click OK
2. Open Network Connections
3. Right click on your LAN connection and select Properties (That is typically called Local Area Connection)
4. Click the Install button
5. Select Protocol
6. Click Add
7. Select Have Disk
8. Replace where it says A:\   with this %WinDir%\inf\nettcpip.inf (be sure to enter it exactly as is here)
9. Click OK
10. Select TCP/IP
11. Click OK
12. Close all of that out when it is done

• Now turn OFF your computer - do not restart...

• Plug the cable back in and restart your computer.

• Carry on.

NOTE: This is NOT always the fix for this problem. The problem can be anything from DHCP at the server you are connecting to being broken, a machine not allowing a connection, or all sorts of other reasons. The address block is reserved and is what is handed out to PCs when there is no address available. That doesn't mean the problem is at your end - that only means you're not getting an IP address. While this fix is fairly harmless the reality is that it is not always the solution - use it only after you're certain another PC is able to connect just fine from the same network end.

Please feel free to join us in the G³ Forum for assistance in getting your network running properly.

OS: 2000 & XP > Networking
Date: 01/02/07

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