Troubleshooting Network Client and DHCP

If you have problems using Network Client with the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), use the following troubleshooting steps, utilities, and Resources to resolve the problem.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Simplify your computer's boot configuration by removing terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs, and third-party utilities from your Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files. Remove or minimize the use of memory managers. If you correct the problem, add back functionality until you discover the utility or combination of utilities that is creating the problem.
2. Verify that the Protocol.ini and System.ini files reflect your configuration. For more information:
   • See Section 16, "Network Settings in System.ini," of the Readme.txt file in the Microsoft Network Client directory.
   • Check the Help available in Setup.exe. Use the F1 key to get clarification on a specific option.
   • Query in the Microsoft Knowledge Base for the name of your specific network interface card (NIC).

     Note The Windows NT Knowledge Base (KB) is available in Help files on the Windows NT Server Resource Kit CD.

3. Force Microsoft Network Client to recreate the hidden DHCP configuration file (Dhcp.prm). To do this:

A. Use the Attrib command to remove the hidden and read-only file attributes.

B. Delete the file.

C. Quit and restart Microsoft Network Client to allow the file to be recreated.

D. Network Client automatically creates the Dhcp.prm (a hidden binary file) in the installation directory.

1. Verify that the IP is functioning correctly by using the ping, net view, net config, and net diag commands on Network Client.

For more information see:

• The Help available for each command by typing /?. For example, net view /?. For ping help, type the command without any parameters.
• The Readme.txt file in the Microsoft Network Client directory. Check the table of contents for sections that pertain to your specific installation.

Troubleshooting Utilities

You can run Ipconfig on the client computer to check the client's IP configuration. For more information, see:

• Section 21, "Ipconfig.exe and Controlling DHCP Leases," in the Readme.txt file in the Microsoft Network Client directory.
• The following Knowledge Base articles:
  • Q94069: Microsoft TCP/IP Protocol Comparison and FAQ
  • Q123285: IPCONFIG Displays Invalid Results
  • Q130538: DHCP-Enabled MS-DOS Clients Do Not Resolve Host Names

You can run DHCP Manager on Windows NT Server to check the DHCP Server configuration. Use the Scope Active Leases option to verify that leasing is occurring. For more information, see:

• The Microsoft Windows NT Server Networking Supplement.
• Knowledge Base article Q120829 titled "DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) Basics."

Note

The Windows NT Knowledge Base (KB) is available in Help files on the Windows NT Server Resource Kit compact disc.

Troubleshooting Resources

If the troubleshooting topics in this chapter don't help you resolve your Network Client problem, see the Readme.txt file in the Microsoft Network Client installation directory, or query the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Note

The Windows NT Knowledge Base is available in Help files on the Windows NT Server Resource Kit compact disc.