How to Enable Dynamic IP Addressing or DHCP in Windows XP

When moving an existing Windows XP PC from one location to another, or configuring XP for the first time after
installation, it is sometimes necessary to change the XP TCP/IP network configuration from a Static IP address to
a Dynamic or DHCP IP address in order to be compatible with the new network location. Dynamic IP addressing is most common with mobile devices such as laptops and tablet PC because they are designed for mobility. Desktop PCs
may also require dynamic IP address configuration if the network's IP addresses are centrally managed using DHCP. If you cannot connect to a new network after moving your laptop or desktop PC, changing from a static to dynamic IP address configuration may resolve the connectivity issue.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A Microsoft Windows XP computer that is connected to a network
• A DHCP server or router or other network appliance configured to provide dynamic IP addresses
• This article

1. First, click Start, then Control Panel, then double click Network Connections, then right click on the icon of the network connection that you wish to change and then click Properties in the drop down menu that appears.

2. Next, in the window that appears, scroll down the list of protocols displayed and then double click on the Internet Protocol TCP/IP item.

3. Now, in the window that appears, click the Obtain an IP Address Automatically radio button.

4. Next, click the Obtain DNS Server Address Automatically radio button and then click the Ok button at the bottom of the window.

5. Click the Ok button at the bottom of the next window and then test to determine if you can now connect to the Internet. If not then reboot the computer so that it will retrieve an IP address from the DHCP server (or router providing the DHCP service) and then try again.