Unable to get the wireless network to connect..

[Fuelm@n]

I'm working/upgrading a system I built around 3 years ago. Put in a larger HDD to start, and newly installed Windows XP Pro SP2. I've tried 3 different Wireless Network cards and I have the same trouble each time, I'm sure it's not the cards... It sees my router, and I get a great signal, but I'm unable to connect to the Internet and such.

When I run ipconfig, this is what it shows and doesn't show.
Connection - specific DNS Suffix: (not showing)
Auto configuration IP Address: (shows)
Subnet Mask: (shows)
Default Gateway: (not showing)

No help if I release or renew. I really don't know much about networking, but always seem to figure it out. I'm unable to figure this one out. Please help!!!

[eddds40]

Access your router and make your changes their Most routers have a help program. Is this where (on router) you are doing the release /renew?

[Fuelm@n]

No, I'm doing it in Windows. ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew
I don't have any trouble on the other 3 systems/WindowsOS. It's something with this system. hth

[SirKenin]

What is the IP address that it shows? The first three sets of numbers is all I need.

[Fuelm@n]

169.254.167.188

[Tuttle]

Okay, that means it's not getting an IP address from the router. Assuming your router is working (other machines on the network work, right?), that's usually due to incorrect WEP/WPA encryption settings or keys. Everything will look normal since it is connecting, but you won't get an IP address because the data is gibberish.

[Fuelm@n]

All the other systems work great, no problems. How do I correct the issue on this particular machine? I have it set on WEP 128 encryption, the pass phrase/key to the best of my knowledge is correct. Any suggestions? Thanks

[eddds40]

Are the other 3 machines connecting wired or wireless?

[Fuelm@n]

2 are wireless

[eddds40]

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
Site I often use for help

[Tuttle]

I have it set on WEP 128 encryption

What's the router configured to use?

If you're using WEP, passphrases are non-standard and the implementation varies between manufacturers -- you're better off using the hex key (digits from 0123456789abcdef) everywhere.

If the router is using WPA, on the other hand, a WEP-only device won't work. You can either configure everything else to only use WEP too (bad idea), or get a newer network adapter for this machine which supports WPA.

[Fuelm@n]

Thanks everyone problem solved. I went ahead and disabled security on the router and started over with a new key. The problems could very well have been that I was trying to use an old key from a previous router. I thank you all for pointing me in the right direction and keeping me from doing a new re-installation of the OS.