This shouldn't be too hard. It just involves changing from a static to a dynamic IP. Certainly no need to reinstall XP. Check the instructions HERE.

Okay, I found the solution to my problem. It was at a site:

www dot practicallynetworked dot com

Here is what they said:

Problem: Renewing a DHCP lease fails, with error message "An error occurred while renewing interface : The system cannot find the file specified."

Problem: Network connection configured to obtain an IP address automatically has IP address 0.0.0.0

Solution:

Make sure that the DHCP Client service is running:

Right click My Computer, and click Manage.

Double click Services and Applications.

Double click Services.

Double click DHCP Client. If the Service status is Stopped, click Start.

Set the Startup type to Automatic.

Thanks to Lightcap, who suggested this fix in a news group message.

 

My DHCP Client was disabled. I finally found this solution while searching the Dell forum site. Another message had a link to this other website.

Mark

Way to go!

Your post got me closer.....  My DHCP Client is not running.  and when I try to start it I get the message:

 Error 1075:  The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

Your post got me closer.....  My DHCP Client is not running.  and when I try to start it I get the message:

  Error 1075:  The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

Your post got me closer.....  My DHCP Client is not running.  and when I try to start it I get the message:

           Error 1075:  The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion.

I will try the prscticallynetworked link.  Thanks for your help.

kmcaron,

Did you recently uninstall Norton Anti-Virus? If so, see if  this information helps.

Jim

yes!  and I just got it fixed by removing the Norton service from the depends list.  I used a different usr (http://www.bl.com/moshe/text/quiddities/norton_errors.html) and only fixed the TCP/IP entry, but things are working again! 

Thanks  Jim!

Ken

Grrrrrrrrrrreat! That fixed my dhcp problem too, that I was blaming on XP-SP2.