Member Avatar for tgburkhart

In advance, forgive my ignorance. I am not very computer literate. Here is my situation.

I have an older computer...Windows XP. Out of the blue, it dropped internet access. I did the typical start/restart the modem and router. After it connected to the router it stayed on "Acquiring Network Access". I tried to repair the connection but I received the same message.

I Googled what to do. At one point, I was instructed to run ip config. I received the following message:

Ethernet Adapter Wireless Connection 2:
Media State.....: Media Disconnected

Ethernet Adapter Wireless Connection 3:
Media State.....: Media Disconnected

I then ran an IP release command and received this message:

No operation can be performed on Wireless Network Connection 2 while is is Medial Disconnected. No Operation can be performed on Woreless Network Connection 3 while it is Media Disconnected.

I also received a message that stated the IP address was released but could not be used until the above was rectified.

Any thoughts on what to do? I have read through this forum and see this is not an uncommon problem. I tried most everything on this site. Some things were over my head so I stayed away from those as I did not want to do more damage.

In advance, thanks!!

Oh - If I may also add, when I look at the Network Connections, Wireless Network Connect 2 is stuck in Acquiring Network Address. Another Connection 2 is Connected. Lastly, Connection 3 is Network Cable Unplugged (though I have never had a cable for this in the past)

Edited by tgburkhart because: n/a
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Following ’s description (Windows XP, driver reinstall, multiple "Wireless Network Connection" entries, one stuck at "Acquiring") and ’s question about other machines, the behavior points to one of a few common causes: the physical/soft wireless adapter being disabled, duplicate or “ghost” adapter entries after driver changes, a conflict between Windows and a vendor wireless utility, or the router’s DHCP/settings not handing out an address. The checklist below covers quick checks that are safe and reversible.

  1. Verify whether other devices can reach the router/internet (this isolates PC vs router).
  2. Confirm the adapter is actually enabled (hardware wireless switch or Fn key, then Control Panel → Network Connections → enable the correct Wireless Network Connection).
  3. In an elevated Command Prompt gather details and try a DHCP refresh:
ipconfig /all
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
  1. If release/renew fail because the adapter is “disconnected,” disable duplicate wireless entries (Network Connections) and remove hidden/ghost adapters in Device Manager (View → Show hidden devices), then reboot.
  2. Reset the TCP/IP/Winsock stack and reboot:
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
netsh winsock reset
  1. Check services (services.msc): DHCP Client and Wireless Zero Configuration should be running and set to Automatic. If a vendor wireless utility is installed (Intel, Broadcom, etc.), allow only one manager to control the card.
  2. Quick router checks from another device: confirm DHCP is enabled, check MAC filtering, and inspect the router’s client list.

If those steps do not restore DHCP, test with a temporary static IP on the XP machine (pick an unused address in the router’s subnet and the router as gateway), or try a different USB Wi‑Fi adapter/boot a Linux live USB to rule out hardware failure. Before major changes (registry edits, stack resets) create a System Restore point.

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Member Avatar for tgburkhart

Also, I have tried deleting and reinstalling the drivers. That didn't work.

Member Avatar for jingda

Can other computer connect to the network? Can you access the internet?

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