"Acquiring network address" problem

This is my first post on this forum.

I couldn't agree more with IBM-Laptops on this pervasive problem with networking. I've had a home wireless network set up using D-Link products for more than 6 years, starting with the D-Link Dir-614+, and with the Dir 624 for the last 4. I can't even count the number of PCI and USB adapters I've purchased for my family members' computers, from 802.11b through g (am about to upgrade to n). I've used both cable and DSL modems. Throughout these years, these home networks have worked pretty much trouble free, with but infrequent dropped connections. Throughout these years, the "acquiring network address" problem occurs every now and again - most often due to swapping in new hardware, tinkering with settings, etc., nothing that took overlong to resolve. But my most recent occurrence was just yesterday, and this time was due to a NEW cause:

I had recently reinstalled my OS (WinXP Pro SP3) along with Nvidia Networking Controller, which recommended that I co-use Windows Firewall and its own. I've often read before that if you use 3rd party firewalls it is probably better to disable the Windows Firewall. That was what I did, almost casually. When I found I was stuck at "acquiring network address" (though with strong signal, internet connectivity), I went back and put Windows Firewall back on, and the traversing little yellow ball on the Taskbar Icon immediately went away. I am sure this is another instance that the problem can be caused by any number of factors, as IBM-Laptops so astutely stated above.

well, i registered to this forumn just to say thanks and explain how i fixed my "aqcuiring network" yudda yudda problem.

my ipod touch can access the internet, ps3, laptop, all no problem from anywhere in the house. but the desktop was out of service for a week with this problem.

so i logged into the router and changed the encryption type from WPA to WPA2. i did not change SSID, i did not change even the password. that's all i did, selecdt WPA2. all equipment just logged in as usual including my desktop computer! wow.. just like that, wasting time on the net again

Knucklez

In line with Knucklez I'd like to say thanks to all for pointing me in the right direction. My problem was the same as numerous posters in that everything apparently worked but my desktop computer became stuck at the "Acquiring Network Address" stage.
The solution I found was similar but slightly simpler than others I've read on this thread. I used a laptop on the network to turn off all network security. This allowed the desktop to connect. I then used the desktop to reset WPA protection with the same password I had previously used. Having done this the desktop remained connected and all the other devices on the network rejoined.

by the way, i got the same problem when upgrading to service pack 3 (SP3) for windows XP.

well, here is a summary of what i learned.
turn off firewall software and windows firewall. disable antivirus.

make sure your services are running. Start / Control Panel / Administrative Tools / Services

then look for DHCP Client and SSDP Discovery Service are both enabled, started and set to Automatic.

then make sure you have correct protocols for your wireless carc installed.

Start / Control Panel / Network Connections / right click on wireless network and select properties / Install ...

select new protocol and look for:
nwlink ipx spx netbios compatible transport protocol

should work now!

Knucklez

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I am also having an aquiring network address issue. I have a new Netgear N adapter and a westell modem/wireless router for DSL. Computer is running Windows XP (sp 2). It only has 64 bit wep. It appears to connect to the router, however, won't get to the internet. Any suggestions? Thanks.

credits to sir ryancjc.
thanks a lot. I did what you said and it work. My mistake is that i wrote my password on a notepad and copy it and paste it on the password text box. what I did not notice is that my password is wrong, but the wireless connection actually accepted it and process it without even prompting me that its not the correct one that i entered. Until I realized that I have entered an incorrect password. Its a little bit blur but anyway thanks a lot

Thank you Gowifi. I to figured it was worth registering just to say thank you. The WEP64 instead of the WEP128 did the trick with my new Router.

Reeeealy appreciated your advice.

Any idea why this is? I have searched but not found anything..
My laptop was ok but its my second PC's wireless adapter (RetailPlus+) that would not take WEP128......

QUOTE=theonetheonly;292096]STATIC IP ADDRESS,manually config your wifi adapter to a static fixed ip address, you WILL NO LONGER HAVE "ACQUIRING NETWORK ADDRESS" PROBLEM!!
Search on google for manually config wifi adater for a static ip address, or read one of my posts on here on that subject.
Let me know if it works, always works for me even with alfa 500 mw usb adapter![/QUOTE]

This is a completely illogical solution..... It will limit your connection to only one network. Does not fix the problem, only masks it. *Would Highly Suggest an alternative method!!*

There is more than one issue on this forum. Connecting to the internet (via-Wireless) & (via-Cable Connection)

Wireless - The most likely fault is with your router's settings. Simply logging into it under admin using your web browser and typing your router's ip in the address bar and then through trial and error playing with the settings (ie. setting security to none or most common problem with today's more secure operating systems requires a correctly setup security (WEP is very compatible. Read your router's instruction manual how to do this, it should also tell you how to setup your wireless network settings on your laptop). *This solution has already been stated on this forum by very helpful members*

Cable - This is the area where I'm having issues. I'm trying to help a friend with this. The "Acquiring Network Address" with "Limited or No Connectivity" is still being shown after checking cables, modem, router, router settings, network settings (ie. Ping loopback check, deleting & resetting network and network card drivers)

As far as I can see it can only be the ISP or her phone jack or line is corrupt. Any Help on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. -Trev

I tried changing the SSID and security as suggested and the new network showed up immediately. Also shut down firewall. WA software is the latest. However, when I tried to connect and put in the security phrase I got the message that no wireless networks were found. . . . . yet the same old "acquiring network address" in shown in the notification area.

Tried connecting a second time and again the network showed up but would not connect at all.

Any help is appreciated. I have been working on this for three days now.

this kind of issue. it most occured in dhco setting: best thing you need to do is , to manually configure the dhcp setting: change the ip address to manuall configuration: and contact your isp and get the dsn server address and ip address of the mdoem and also for the subnet mask..

Find the reset hole. Sometimes it is labeled, sometimes not. It is just about big enought to put a paper clip wire into. Directly under the cover is a micro switch.
Unplug it, push the switch with the wire and hold it. Plug it in and continue to hold it for 30sec.....

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I COULD KISS YOU! I have been having the same problem, tried loads of different things to get it working to no avail - and then I read this I used capitals and hey presto wireless connection!!! Had to register just to say THANKS!!!!

Get any of SAMS books (or even Linux for Dummies ) on the subject of Linux Servers (or linux with a Server Chapter in it). Install Linux to your system, get one of those nifty emulation programs so you can interact with your Windows environment too, simultaneously, and rout your low IQ system through your "multitasking" capable system upstairs.

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I'm so glad I found this thread. My issue with my Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop also occurred very suddenly, and it had been connecting wirelessly with my Linksys router for about a year with no issues, and then one morning the dreaded "acquiring network address" issue popped up.

I have tried many different things, all to no avail.

1) Reinstalled Dell wireless card driver

2) Disabled firewall/antivirus software

3) Deleted existing network connection in my laptop

4) Removed encryption from router settings and tried to reconnect

5) Tried to repair wireless network connection

6) Rebooted my router and modem

7) Hard reset my Linksys router (using paper clip)

I have tried everything I could think of, and even went to McDonald's two days ago to see if I could connect to the free wireless network there - I encountered the very same issue, and got the stupid "acquiring network address" message again.

If I'm not able to connect at home as well as at other locations, that leads me to believe that the fault probably rests somewhere with my Dell laptop configuration/settings.

Any advice on what else I can do to troubleshoot this? I'll try connecting to one more free wireless network at a local pizza place here, but my gut feeling is that I'm going to encounter this same error message there as well.

Thanks,
Paul

I have been reading through all the possible solutions to the "acquiring network address" problem but mine appears to be slightly different.

The message only appears after a few minutes of actually successfully connecting and using the Web. It doesn't seem to lose the connection to force it to re-acquire but once the message appears - thats it .

I have recently changed ISP and the new router is an 'N' protocol and the last time I had no problems it was using a 'G' procotol router. The WIFI USB adaptor is 801.11 b/g. The O/S is XP.

Is it purely an USB adaptor upgrade? But how/why does it get on on the WWW in the first place?

All assistance gratefully recieved.

"I've tried plugging my laptop in to my roommates' jacks, and they work fine."

Laura, does you laptop work with the roommates' jacks, or still can't get IP address?

Pending your answer to the above, it could be your computer, your cable, or the apartment's jack that you use. Have you eliminated your cable as a suspect, either by having a roommate use it or by borrowing a roommate's cable?

Though fully connected wirelessly to my router, my Win XP SP3 laptop wireless icon still indicated "Acquiring Network Address" issue.

The following procedure worked for me:

Right click on the wireless icon in the system tray--> click Status --> click Properties --> click Wireless Networks --> click on "your" network in the Preferred Networks area --> click Properties --> Uncheck the "Connect even if this network is not broadcasting" box. Click OK

I have also been surfing this forum for quite a while and do come here to know about the updates on wireless and internet when i get bored. And it is a nice place as no pushing and pulling .

I use my laptop rarely, but the wireless was almost instant every time I turned the box on. All of a sudden I got this 'acquiring network' mess. I got this forum, read (scanned) almost the whole page of suggestions but went a different direction. I opened system restore and noticed there was Optimum Wifi registration installed about a week ago. Opened Control Panel and uninstalled it, nothing changed, rebooted, same story. I found the previous clean checkpoint in System Restore and selected it. After the computer rebooted I got online right away.
So my suggestion is instead of messing around with all high-tech options, just find a good checkpoint option before any suspicious program installation and run it. Hopefully, it will work for you as it did for me.

never tought like this