Limited or no connectivity

[AndyM]

I installed XP pro and upgraded with SP2, then took it to my office to replace the "master" pc that runs our business software. I upgraded to SP2 at home because we have a Linksys router sharing our cable connection and only have dial-up at work. Problem is, this new setup has slowed the network to a crawl on the business app. It takes 15 seconds sometimes just to open an invoice. The network logon symbol on the taskbar shows an error sign, with the Local Area Connection Status window giving a "Limited or no connectivity" message. It says "This problem occurred because the network did not assign a network address to the computer. When I click the Repair button, there is a long wait and the message "Windows could not finish repairing the problme because the following action cannot be completed: Renewing you IP address
For assistance, contact the person who manages your network." Well, that person is me, and I haven't a clue what to do. I disabled the windows firewall, and I also tried another NIC with no help. This "master" computer is not showing up in Workgroup computers. And I have tried to set up the local network 2 or 3 times with not luck. Sorry this is long, any suggestions?
Thanks

[mbossman2]

How are IP addresses assigned within your network? are they static IP addresses or are they assigned via DHCP?

[AndyM]

They are assigned via DHCP.

[glc]

For some reason, your machine is not seeing a DHCP server - what are/were you using for a DHCP server? The old "master" computer maybe?

If you only have a few computers running in "peer to peer" networking, I'd consider just assigning static IP addresses.

[AndyM]

The old master maybe was a DHCP server...but I'm not completely qualified to answer that question. In the past, with the exchange or upgrade of any of the other workstations, of which there is a total of 4 counting the master, all I have had to do is use the wizard for setting them up in a specific workgroup name. I have never messed with the master before. Is DHCP used in workgroup setups and does it require a Static IP address?

[mbossman2]

yes, it looks like your DHCP server is no longer accessible (and if the only change to the network was the master PC, I would hazard a guess that it was the DHCP server). For such a small network I would go in and put static IP's for all the machines and let the network run. Switch to DHCP if/when the network gets to the point where managing IP addresses becomes a pain.

BTW, this is a good reason why you should document how your network is set up (which IP addresses are assigned where, what machine does what and has what services/applications running on each PC) so you (or your future replacement) can refer to it and see what is going on and what ramifactions a change might have on the network. It makes troubleshooting so much easier when you have a view of how it was when it was working fine.

[AndyM]

Thanks very much for your reply. I wuld like to get this problem resolved this weekend if possible, so now I have a course of action.
More info: In about 6 weeks or so we will be setting up the master and the workstation in my office with a partial DSL service from TDS Metrocom. I am undergoing all of this so that I will be able to log on from home and monitor/conduct business activities.
If I undestrand it correctly, I will be purchasing 2 static IP addresses for this service. Should I set up a temporary just to get this system faster? And if so, does it matter what addresses I assign? Can you link me somewhere to a Howto so I can study this? I don't want to waste your time.
Thanks again.