Cant see workgroup or connect to internet

[Sumdumgi]

I have a network of 4 computers, a buddy of mine brought his computer over for xp install, he thought he had a virus because he was getting errors like missing files and or corrupt files, replace with system disk. Well he wanted xp and he had w2k so he brought the xp cd over, I deleted partition, reformatted, new install. For some strange reason I cannot connect to my network which runs xp and connects thru a linksys 4 port router and dsl. I can get out on the internet on all other systems and can see files being shared. I reinstalled xp and still the same. Tried diff nic cards, diff pci slots etc. I went to cmd and typed ip config which it gave me a strange ip address, not the norm 192.168.1.x, i released ip and renewed and it would never give me a new ip? Light are working on nic, all dns, auto ip, dhcp enabled etc is exactly the same as on my other systems. I have a dmz open on the router for hosting games. I disbaled xp firewall and shut down my zap.

Whas uppppp!

Thanks in advance.

[glc]

Bad nic or cable.

[Sumdumgi]

Built new patch cable, connected it, went to ip config on wifes system which was working before and renewed ip, I got the message of "unable to contact your dhcp server, request timed out."

What should I try now?

On my system the ip is assigned by dhcp, on my wifes it says "automatic private address"? Hers used to work and I havnt changed any settings, do you know why this is set up this way?

[Sumdumgi]

Nevermind, as usual, operator error! I had forgot that when I set up the router for hosting games that I had screwed around with the dhcp clients table and had set it up for 3 intead of 5 systems. Strange that my wifes system was still working though until recently.

Hey, is it plugged in? duh! Embarrassing. Sure it wont be the last time.