Windows 7 - "Local Area Connection" doesn't have a valid IP config

I got that message when I did the basic troubleshoot for my connection. The internet was working earlier this morning, and has been working for the past few months, but when I got back home today it just, seemingly randomly, stopped for no reason.

Yes, I know there have been lots of people asking about this problem, and I've tried a few different things, but I just can't get the internet to work.

I'm pretty sure it's not the router, a computer with WXP works just fine, as well as Xbox Live. Ipconfig in command prompt came up with 169.254.187.196 as Autoconfig IPv4, if that makes a difference. My only active network is an unidentified, public network.

I've reset PC, modem, and router. Ping 127.0.0.1 was successful, so does that mean it isn't the NIC? The NIC is, I believe, a Broadcom Netlink Gigabit Ethernet. I didn't have the option to rollback drivers so I guess that won't work =/.

Tried netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset.

Suggestions?
BTW I'm a total noob with computers and networking so I partially have no idea what I'm really talking about

The fact that ipconfig is showing the 169.254.187.196 indicates that the nic/wifi is not connecting with the router. You might want to re-boot the router and pc at the same time.

If that doesnt fix it you need to examine the advanced adapter settings.

Let us know so we can help you.

Ken

Sorry for late reply, my XP computer's internet went off for a little =/ but that was because of weather I think.

I tried rebooting PC and router at same time but still same error message

How can I examine the advanced adaptor settings?

Have a looky here pal

connection-doesnt-have-valid-ip-configuration

Hmm.. so does that mean I should upgrade my router? I don't have a D-Link; it's a Linksys WRT54G2 v1.5 I think. I tried static IP but still same error

Also, if it helps, ipconfig also says DHCP is not enabled and has no address for the Default Gateway.

Looking into this further... will post if I find a solution

Wow. To be honest, I'm a little embarassed about posting my "solution"

Turns out I didn't have a wireless card, I have this thing you plug into the wall that acts as a wireless card. Apparently, someone in my house had bumped into it while I was gone and it got disconnected. Reconnected it and problem solved. Can't believe I never checked that...

Hi guys!

I have had the same problem for a few days now, and have searched numerous forums and gone through hell and high water to fix it. nothing helped until I found the ultimate solution that will help everyone:

CALL YOUR ISP, TELL THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY CAN CONFIGURE A NEW IP ADDRESS FOR YOUR CONNECTION. IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR.

During this time you must keep your router/modem turned off, and after the ISP has fixed the problem (in my case it took half an hour) you must restart your machine with the router/modem on and connected. From then on it should be like nothing ever happened.

Just for the fun of it, here's a list of things I have tried without results:

release/renew ipconfig
restarting modem/router and computer about a zillion times
changing LAN card
creating a static IP
resetting winsock in command prompt
reinstalling Windows 7
reinstalling XP (I had a dual boot and I did both, losing all installations)
manually entering IP address
disabling/enabling local area connection
plugging and unplugging LAN cable
uninstalling and reinstalling LAN card driver
resetting modem/router using the reset button

And after all this, all it took was just a phone call.
This is because your ISP is THE ONLY authority when it comes to configuring your IP address. In this case, it can only be done from the outside. This is also the reason why Microsoft didn't announce any patches or fixes for this problem, because it is not their problem and responsibility.

Only one question remains, WHY is this happening? Noone has been able to answer this, and I have read tons of forum posts about it. Maybe even the guys that made Windows 7 don't know it.

I am going to copy this post on several other forums because I have seen the trouble that people are having with this problem.

If you find out why this is happening, please post it here.