"Acquiring IP Address"

I have been having troubles getting my desktop to connect to the internet. It seems that the computer is unable to aquire the networks IP address. It is hooked up to my router through ethernet along with my Xbox 360, and my laptop wirelessly. Both the laptop and the 360 connect to the internet just fine, and even if I hook up the desktop straight to the modem I still get the same problem. It worked fine the day I got my router, and then I set up the wireless security settings and it stopped working after that, which is strange seeing that the 360 is wired and works great. I am not sure if that is what caused it because the desktop wasn't used for at least a day afterwards.

If anyone could help me out here that would be awesome because I have no idea what's going wrong.

 

It sounds like the NIC has gone bad with some very conspicuous (and unfortunate) timing - especially since it is not pulling an IP off of your modem, either.

My first suggestion would be to rip and reinstall your TCP/IP stack. You need to get to your Network Connections screen (I'm assuming your control panel is set to classic view):
Windows XP:
Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections

Windows Vista:
Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center -> (sidebar) Manage Network Connections (thank you, Vista, for hiding such a vital control)

Once on your network connections screen, right-click on the Local Area Connection and go to properties. Uncheck Internet Protocol TCP/IP (v4 in Vista), then click "OK" and reboot.

Go back to your network connections screen, right-click on the Local Area Connection, click on properties, and recheck Internet Protocol TCP/IP.

If that doesn't do it, you may want to try a new NIC...I hear you can get them in Cracker Jack boxes these days.

 

Could you have changed the number of IP addresses your router distributes via DHCP when you reconfigured it so that all the available IP addresses are already leased out?

Or, could you be trying to reuse an IP address that is now leased out to another device? Try right-clicking on the network icon in the system tray and repairing the connect so that it releases and reacquires.

 

I would check this out, run>cmd>ipconfig/all, to release&renew,ipconfig/release,ipconfig/renew and see if that works.If not try making allowances in your firewall settings for ip ranges that are excepted.Also check and see if allowing your MAC address for your desktop makes a difference in the router settings.I would check these things out before buying a new NIC. One more thing go to device manager and see if your NIC is functioning correctly/disabled not seeded right etc...

 

You should also probably make sure your NIC is not set to a static IP address (follow the instructions above for the TCP rip, but double click on Internet Protocol TCP/IP, instead, and make sure you're set to automatically receive an IP address).

 

Ok, I've had troubles with my whole network trying to fix this and restored my router to factory settings, but the problem still exists. I appreciate all of your suggestions, but none of them are working. I have even tried to give it an IP address manually and nothing sticks, but I'm guessing that's because my router is set to use DHCP. When I tried to release and renew the IP it told me that the IP had already been released, and when I tried to renew there was an error and it told me the RPC server is unavailable.

I have a wireless NIC laying around so I will plug that in and see what happens, but keep any suggestions coming please.

 

Are you checking the NIC to see if it is working properly and that DCHP is enabled? Loopback ping,also check your firewall setting,and make sure to double check network key and make sure it's correct.What security setting are you using,if WEP try switching to WPA.