This guide will aid in troubleshooting TCP/IP related issues in Windows 95/98. Below is a list of common error messages, just click on the one that most closely relates to the problem. You will then get a list of things to try to fix the problem. Try the steps listed in order. After you finish each step, check to see if the problem is fixed. If it is, then stop there. If you run out of stuff to try and the problem still isn't fixed then consulat a backup.

DHCP Server Unavailable Renewing Adapter
Cannot release/renew IP address in Windows 98 and has IP address of 169.254.xxx.xxx
Cannot release/renew IP address and has a non-jmu IP address.
Gets a valid IP address, but still has no network connectivity
Fatal Error Reading IP Configuration
 

1. Check to see if the customer has paid for the CampusNet service. If they have not, then have them goto the Telecom office in the basement of Wilson Hall to pay.
2. Make sure they have registered their computer with CampusNet. If they have not then direct them to the campusnet registration page http://www.jmu.edu/campusnet/register.
3. Make sure their network cable is plugged securely into both the wall and into the network card in the back of their computer.
4. Call x8164 and see if their port is turned on and working.

1. Have them download and install the Windows 98 IP Autoconfiguration patch from http://www.jmu.edu/helpdesk/patches.
2. After installing the patch run winipcfg and release/renew the adapter.

1. Open the network control panel and view the TCP/IP properties for their network adapter.
2. Click on the IP Address tab and make sure Obtain IP address automatically is selected.
3. Release/Renew the IP address again.
4. If the IP address is still not renewing, then reinstall TCP/IP

1. Reboot the computer
2. Run winipcfg and see if they are still getting a valid IP address.
3. Open the network control panel, and make sure they only have one TCP/IP protocol installed. Remove any TCP/IP protocols that aren't bound to the ethernet card (i.e. TCP/IP --> AOL Adpater, TCP/IP --> Dial-up Adapter).
4. In the network control panel, open the TCP/IP Properties for their network adapter. Check the following things:
   • Under the IP Address tab, make sure that Obtain an IP address automatically is selected.
   • Under the DNS Configuration tab, make sure that Disable DNS is selected.
5. Check for any extra winsock files:
   • Click on Start->Find->Files or Folders
   • In the "Named" field type w*sock*.dll
   • Make sure that it is pointing to their C: drive
   • Click FIND NOW
   The following files should be listed. If there are any others that exist in other folders, then rename the files from "filename".dll to "filename".old.

   Windows 95
   Filename	Location	Size
   winsock.dll	C:\Windows	42 kb
   wsock32.dll	C:\Windows\System	65 kb

   Windows 98
   Filename	Location	Size
   winsock.dll	C:\Windows	21 kb
   wsock32.dll	C:\Windows\System	40 kb
   wsock32n.dll	C:\Windows\System	26 kb

6. If the machine is running Windows 95, install the Winsock2 Patch
7. Reinstall TCP/IP.

1. Reinstall TCP/IP
2. Uninstall the Winsock2 upgrade if it is installed:
   • Open a command prompt window
   • Change to the C:\Windows\ws2bakup directory
   • Run ws2bakup.bat
3. If it is a faculty/staff, get their adapter address and call a backup to see if they're still in the bootp table.