"Ipconfig" command reports IP address 0.0.0.0.

Symptom:

When you use the ipconfig command to renew your computer's IP address, either of the following behaviors may occur:

·         You may receive the following error message:

An error occurred while renewing interface local area connection. The system cannot find the file specified.

-or-

·         The command may return the IP address and the subnet mask 0.0.0.0.

Resolution:

To resolve this behavior, use the following methods in the order they are presented. Before you start, restart your computer. After each method, test to determine whether the issue is resolved.

Method 1. Turn Off Firewalls:

Make sure there are no firewalls and that Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall or Windows Firewall is turned off.

If you have a third-party firewall installed, disable it.

For information about how to disable your firewall, see the product documentation, or contact the technical support department of the manufacturer.

Turn off Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall. To do so, follow these steps:

1.     Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.

2.    Right-click your connection, and then click Properties.

3.    Click the Advanced tab, and then click to clear the Internet Connection Firewall check box if it is selected.

If you use Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), follow these steps to turn Windows Firewall off:

1.     Click Start, click Run, type ncpa.cpl, and then click OK.

2.    Right-click your connection, and then click Properties.

3.    Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings.

4.    On the General tab, click Off (not recommended).

Method 2. Verify That Your Network Card Is Installed Correctly:

Verify that your network card is installed correctly. To do so, follow these steps:

1.     Right-click My Computer, click Manage, and then click Device Manager under Computer Management.

2.    Expand Network Adapters, and then verify that your network adapter is listed.

If your network adapter is not listed, use the following methods in the order they are presented:

1.     Update or reinstall the driver.

2.    Move the adapter to another available slot, and then reinstall it.

3.    Replace your network adapter.

Method 3. Verify That the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) Client Service Is Started:

Verify that the DHCP Client service is started. To do so, follow these steps:

1.     Right-click My Computer, click Manage, expand Services and Applications under Computer Management, and then click Services.

2.    Verify that the DHCP Client service is running.

3.     If the service is stopped, right-click DHCP Client, and then click Start.

Note: If the service does not start, a dependency group or service may also be stopped.

Method 4. Modify the Registry:

Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.Make sure that the DHCP registry entry is correct. To do so, follow these steps:

1.     Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.

2.    Locate the following registry key.  

3.    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\ControlSet001\Services\DHCP

4.    In the right pane, double click DependOnService, and then make sure that the Data Value value is Tcpip Afd NetBT.

5.    Restart your computer, and then verify that the DHCP service is started as described in Method 3.