No valid IP config?

I've checked several threads but I'm stil unsure what action to take.

Clean install of 7HU over XP Pro SP3, both 32bit. XP Pro SP3 was on two HDDs, is still on one.

7 starts up fine, even better than XP used to on my relic of a PC.

Main issue with 7 is I cannot access the 'net. 7 did not recognized my ethernet card at first, but I was able to un/reinstall using the drivers from the manufacturer's CD.

Now I get the old "local Area Connection doesn't have a valid IP configuation" message. I have always been able to just plug and go in my house before. I do have a cable router and a 10/100 switch that send the 'net to the whole house, and seperate modem for the whole house VOIP. I have tried rebooting both of these routers individually and neither has resolved the connection issue.

Any and all help will be GREATLY appreciated.

Open up a command prompt (Win + R, type cmd) and do an ipconfig /all command. What IP address are you getting assigned via DHCP from the router?

If you have a router, then you should be getting 192.168.xx.xx addresses. That's probably the reason why you can't get online. Once you get home we can start troubleshooting the problem.

Please update your system specs - Intel makes a lot of motherboards, you know? The link is in my signature.

There are quite a few threads about lack of valid IP addresses on Windows 7. You mentioned you read some of them. What actions are you unsure of to try?

There's nothing wrong with the hard drives. You won't see the Windows 7 drive, unless you assign it a drive letter while using XP. Don't worry about that.

Have you tried rebooting your router? Just unplug it for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Have all of your computers off when you do that. After the router reboots, turn on the Windows 7 computer and see if it gets an IP assigned.