Configuring TCP/IP Networking for Windows Me: Configuration setup - Point and then right-click on the My Network Places icon on the desktop (see image below). Click/Select properties from the quick menu that appears.
The Network Properties Dialog box appears. This will have a title that will say Network at the top and there will be four tab options to choose from. The first visible tab is the Configuration tab. It contains 3 features: Clients, Protocols and Services. The listing shows the networking client type(s) currently being used by the system, it shows the services currently being used by the system and then shows the networking/telephony protocol types currently being used by the system. It also shows installed connectivity devices. Client features have a computer icon & start with Client. For example Client for Microsoft Service features have a computer icon with a hand under it. For example File and print sharing for Installed connectivity devices have a green icon (circuit board color). For example Dial-up Adapter Protocol features have a gray & yellow icon (looks like 2 pipes connected at a yellow joint) & an arrow separating the protocol from the device using the protocol. For example TCP/IP > Dial-up Adapter The focus for now is on the Protocol feature.
Scroll down to the TCP/IP protocol entries and look for the TCP/IP entry associated with Network Interface Card (NIC) being used by the system. Click/Select the option that indicates TCP/IP and an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet Controller. An example would be: Or TCP/IP -> 3Com 3C905. TCP/IP -> Intel 10/100.
Point to and click on the Properties button. The TCP/IP Properties Dialog box appears. There will be seven tab options here. The IP Address Tab will be the open screen (fourth tab on the bottom row below the title). Make sure that the Obtain IP Address automatically option (radio button) is selected as shown above. This provides a means by which the system being set up for network access can communicate with a network server and other network based systems. Confirmation of the IP Address obtained is discussed later.
Click on the DNS Configuration Tab. Type in the computer name beside Host: Make sure that beside Domain: it reads smartneighborhood.net Also make sure that below DNS Server Search Order the following IP Addresses are typed in (and in this exact order): 65.210.7.114 65.210.7.115 Click on the Gateway Tab Make sure that this is blank as shown here Make sure is this blank as shown here After checking the Gateway Tab, click OK twice
Configuration test - Point to the Start button on the Task bar at the bottom of the desktop screen. Click on it. The Start Menu pops up. From this menu point to and click/select the Run menu option. The Run Dialog box appears.
In the text box field (beside the word Open: ) type winipcfg and click Ok The IP Configuration Dialog box appears (minimal details). This is an alternative location where the necessary information about the IP Address being used by the system and the Network Interface Card ID can be found. This is also where the assigned IP Address is tested to see if it is indeed valid.
Click on the More Info >> button. The IP Configuration Dialog box appears (full details). Make sure an IP Address like this one shows up right here
The Test - Click the Release button. The IP Address disappears. Click the Renew button. The IP Address reappears. If the IP Address reappears (it should reappear), the test is complete. Click Ok
If it does not reappear, call technical support. If the Network Interface Card (NIC) is not connected properly to the network cable, if the NIC is faulty or if there is some other problem that exists and is causing the system not to acknowledge the existence of the network then the following dialog boxes may be seen. This is called the Autoconfiguration IP Address
The result: Either a Media Disconnected message or an IP Autoconfiguration IP Address will be seen where the IP Address should be. Microsoft has an Autoconfiguration IP Address that each system happens to use to automatically self configure itself with, in the event that a DHCP IP Address can t be obtained from a DHCP Server. The IP address range is 169.254.xxx.xxx/16 (255.255.0.0) So if an IP Address like the one seen above 169.254.221.180 is seen (as long as the IP Address starts with 169.254..), it means that the system is still not connected but just self configured so be sure to call for technical support.