I'll keep it simple, or atleast try. My computer is a part of a network, but sometimes I take it to other people's houses and connect to their networks. Aparently upon reconnection to my original network, it won't connect using the same Subnet Mask / Default Gateway. This is causing troubles and I know you can manually configure it, but I would like to correct it so it will determine what network its on automaticly. I've already tried using the network wizard many times so I'm not really sure what to do. Help would be appreciated. -Thanks

I'd put a forever lease ip on the router that serves your dhcp requests. You would have to explain more about your home setup too for a closer answer.

On your current network (at home) are you running with a router (not a hub) or using internet connection shareing? (basically I don't know if you have a dhcp server anywhere) It seems to me your computer is configured to accept a dhcp server,, so that it recieves its address automatically. and when you connect to your friends machine, it recieves its new address. when you return home, I am assuming (Your post did not say) it is not recieving an updated address,, so the machine defaults to the last address that works,, which is your friends machine. You could load your machine address manually as alternate IP. "when moving between networks where DHCP servers aren't consistently used (e.g., moving between an office that uses DHCP to assign IP addresses and a home network that uses static IP addresses). If you configure your computer to use DHCP and no DHCP server is available, the machine will typically use an IP address in the range 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254 with a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0. The actual IP address will depend on what IP addresses other machines on the local subnet have selected (XP will perform a limited test to ensure the Windows TCP/IP component doesn't use an address already in use). Because the local TCP/IP stack assigns no WINS, DHCP, or gateway information, all IP communication is limited to machines in the local subnet. XP lets you create an alternate IP configuration that you can use when your system can't find a DHCP server. This alternate configuration lets you specify an IP address, subnet, gateway, and the other typical network settings. To create this alternate IP configuration, perform the following steps: Open the Network Connections applet (go to Start, Programs, Accessories, Communications and click Network Connections). Right-click the network adapter for which you want to specify an alternate IP configuration, then click Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), then click Properties. Under the General tab, ensure that you've configured the connection to use DHCP. Select the Alternate Configuration tab, select "User configured," then fill in the static IP address details you want the connection to use when the system can't find a DHCP server. Click here to view image Click OK. Click OK again to close all remaining windows." taken from http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/27129/27129.html

Hi to see what is currently your ip address and figure out what is happening use ipconfig/all command start/run type cmd in the dos box type ipconfig/all this shows you current info post it here if you wish. to renew your ip address in the dos box type ipconfig/renew it can take a few mins to renew so wait it will give a reply. As above ppl note,it seems like the ip lease on the router is maybe too short.

Wonder if when you get home you do a "Repair" on the nic. Go to the adapter icon and do a repair.