I have a wired desktop with win2k Pro and a wireless laptop with XP. Netgear wgr614 router. Verizon DSL westell 2200 modem. Modem is in full bridge mode because the westell 2200 is a modem/router . My laptop is set up for wireless and works fine. However, I have no internet connection on my desktop. Downloaded all the service packs and updates etc. for windows. Cables are fine, ports are fine, powered on etc, etc. Uninstalled Zone Alarm on desktop. Tried static IP address. Nothing. When I do ipconfig always comes up 169.254.x.x or 0.0.0.0. ipconfig /release gives me: All adapters bound to DHCP do not have DHCP addresses. Addresses were auto configured and can't be released. Device manager shows that NIC (3com etherlink 10/100 PCI TX NIC(3C905B-TX) is fine. Drivers are fine. Everything working properly. I've uninstalled and reinstalled and installed the latest drivers. Here's what I think is happening. I wiped out the computer and did a clean install of windows 2K Pro. I didn't have the disk so I borrowed one from a friend. The ethernet card on that disk is 3com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905B-TX compatible) whereas the actual NIC installed in the computer (as I mentioned above) is 3com Etherlink 10/100 PCI TX NIC (3C905B-TX). Is this why I get 169.254.x.x???? Subnet mask is always 255.255.0.0 Will installing a new NIC solve the problem?? Thanks!

PS--can ping 127.0.0.1 but nothing else --gives me request timed out.

Sorry can't figure out how to edit posts. I'm trying to give as much info as I can. More info. :Prior to setting up router, I could not connect to internet via ethernet cable and westell 2200 modem in regular mode. Only could connect to internet with USB cable. Again, device manager never shows a problem device or yellow exclamation point next to network adapter.

There is something wrong with your network card or it's driver. Windows defaults to a 169.254 ip address when this happens.

"Cables are fine"...have you actually tested the ethernet cable in some way? If not, then I suggest you try a "known good" network cable. You could also disable the wireless in your laptop and connect it with the modem. If it works fine, you have ruled out the cable and the wired portion of the router as a problem. Also, check with your ISP you may need a special type of ethernet cable, called a "crossover cable".

Thanks for replying. Yes, I've tested the cable. Used it to connect the modem to the laptop before installing the router and it worked fine. Going to download the drivers again (fresh start) and reinstall one more time. Question: Anyone know if there are several download versiions available do I have to install them in order or can I just download and install the latest one?

NG (no good). It didn't work ended up that windows just kept using default drivers and wouldn't touch the download drivers. Off to buy a new network adapter tomorrow. Hopefully that will be it.