It seems like this MUST be possible, but I can't figure it out. I have a "new" laptop that I'm going to be taking to and from work. It's in fact 3 years old, but it's just an email box, so that's no the problem. The problem is that my network at work is your standard academic net that requires fixed IP address and masks and gateways, etc. But my network at home is a standard RCN broadband connection that needs to automatically find the IP address. Is there a way to set this up so as not to have to change the settings every time? When I set the TCPIP button to "Obtain an IP Address Automatically", I get a second tab that lets me enter the "alternate configuration". That takes me to a second page where I can enter IP addresses and such by hand... but what do I have to do to make it USE those alternate settings? It certainly didn't do it by default when the automatic assignment failed. Sorry if this is a dumb question. And mods, please feel free to move it to the XP forum if that's a more appropriate place.

Never mind - I think it's working now. While I waited for some time with no results yesterday, now, after several reboots, it's behaving as advertised. It looks for the automatic server first, and then goes to backup settings after a minute.