How do I check to make sure that my computer is configured to obtain an IP address automatically?

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Windows 98/ME: While on the desktop, click on Start > Settings > Control Panel. Double click on Network. Click on the TCP/IP that is associated with your Network Interface Card (NIC). Click Properties. If you are warned that you are about to change TCP/IP properties, click OK. Click the IP address tab near the top of the window that appears; if Obtain an IP address automatically is not selected, click in the circle to the left of the option to select it. Click OK > OK and close the Control Panel. Restart your computer.

Windows 2000: While on the desktop, click on Start > Settings > Control Panel. Double click Network and Dial Up Connections. Right click on the Local Area Connection and then left click on Properties. Click the Networking tab at the top of the window. Select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click on Properties. Select Obtain an IP Address IP Address
Just as each building on a street has a unique address so does each computer server or other destination on the Internet. The IP address is an numerical address scheme that allows computers or servers to distinguish between each other. IP addresses are expressed as a series of four numbers that look like this 66.133.128.140. Becauses these numerical series would be hard for people to remember and transcribe they are translated into Domain Names words that describe the computer web site or email they are naming. Automatically, if it is not already selected. Click OK > OK and close the Control Panel. Restart your computer.

Windows XP: While on the desktop, click on Start > Control Panel. Double click on Network Settings. Right click on the Local Area Connection and then click on Properties. Select Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and then click on Properties. Select Obtain an IP Address IP Address
Just as each building on a street has a unique address so does each computer server or other destination on the Internet. The IP address is an numerical address scheme that allows computers or servers to distinguish between each other. IP addresses are expressed as a series of four numbers that look like this 66.133.128.140. Becauses these numerical series would be hard for people to remember and transcribe they are translated into Domain Names words that describe the computer web site or email they are naming. Automatically, if it is not already selected. Click OK > OK and close Network Settings. Restart your computer.

Windows Vista: While on the desktop, click the Windows button (formerly the Start button) and from the menu that appears, select the Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click Network Center. Find your Local Area Connection (normally under the Network Details section of the Network Center) and click the View status link. Click the Properties button; if a User Account Control Window appears, select Continue. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click Properties. Select Obtain an IP address automatically, if it is not already selected. Click OK > Close > Close and close the Network Center. Restart your computer.

Windows 7: While on the desktop, click the Windows button (formerly the Start button) and from the menu that appears, select the Control Panel. In the Control Panel, click Network and Internet. Click Network and Sharing Center. Click Change Adaptor Settings. Find your Local Area Connection. Right click your Local Area Connection and click the Properties button; if a User Account Control windows appears, select Continue. Click Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and then click Properties. Select Obtain and IP address automatically, if it is not already selected. Click OK > Close > Close and close the Network Center. Restart your computer.

Mac OS 9.x: While on the desktop, click on the Apple > Control Panels > TCP/IP. At the top of the window that appears, make sure that you have both Connect via Ethernet and Configure using DHCP selected. Make sure that the IP address field reads Will Be Supplied by Server. If an IP address is entered, remove it. Click the box in the upper lefthand corner of the TCP/IP window to close the window and save any changes you may have made. Restart your computer.

Mac OS 10.x: While on the desktop, click on the Apple > System Preferences > Network. Click on the TCP/IP tab at the top of the window that appears. For location, select DSL. For Show, select Built-In Ethernet, and for Configure, select Using DHCP. For IP address, you should see Provided by DHCP Server. If an IP Address IP Address
Just as each building on a street has a unique address so does each computer server or other destination on the Internet. The IP address is an numerical address scheme that allows computers or servers to distinguish between each other. IP addresses are expressed as a series of four numbers that look like this 66.133.128.140. Becauses these numerical series would be hard for people to remember and transcribe they are translated into Domain Names words that describe the computer web site or email they are naming. is entered, remove it. Click the box in the upper lefthand corner of the TCP/IP window to close the window and save any changes you may have made. Restart your computer.