Unable to receive a 169 IP address when not connected to a network

[Dave]

Hi,

wonder if anyone can help. I hhave a laptop running XP pro with both
wired and wireless ethernet cards. The problem is is that when I am
not connected to a network I cannot receive a private IP address i.e.
169.x.x.x

When I run ipconfig, against both connections I get 'Cable not
connected' I actually require this because I run demos (when not
connected to a network) where I link a pocket PC to a laptop (via
bluetooth and then browse to an application stored on the laptop using
its IP address). I have also tried assigning a static IP address but
receive the same problem.

If I try booting up any other PC or laptop which is not connected to a
network I automatically get a 169 address, I just cannot understand why
I am not getting one on the system I want it on.

Any ideas appreciated - thanks.

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi,

wonder if anyone can help. I hhave a laptop running XP pro with both
wired and wireless ethernet cards. The problem is is that when I am
not connected to a network I cannot receive a private IP address i.e.
169.x.x.x

When I run ipconfig, against both connections I get 'Cable not
connected' I actually require this because I run demos (when not
connected to a network) where I link a pocket PC to a laptop (via
bluetooth and then browse to an application stored on the laptop using
its IP address). I have also tried assigning a static IP address but
receive the same problem.

If I try booting up any other PC or laptop which is not connected to a
network I automatically get a 169 address, I just cannot understand why
I am not getting one on the system I want it on.

Any ideas appreciated - thanks.

By default, Windows XP disables TCP/IP when an Ethernet adapter isn't
connected to anything. As a result, there's no IP address, and
Ipconfig shows "Media disconnected".

To allow the adapter to obtain a 169.xxx IP address, follow the steps
shown here:

How to disable Media Sensing for TCP/IP in Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;239924
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com