Win98 DHCP clients, wrong subnet mask

This is a long shot as you did not mention what IP range you are using.

If the client machines are not contacting the DHCP server at boot then they will asign their own IP and subnet mask. Next time this happens open winipcfg to make sure that they got their IP from the server (or check the DHCP server). If not then I suspect that you have a cable problem

regards
SF

Since everything else works, I would look for what is different on these machines other than just the fact that they are Win98.

Are they on the right subnet, and finding the correct DHCP server? With 300 stations, you are either using a Class B or multiple Class C addresses.

Are you explicitly specifying the mask on the DHCP server? If not, everyone else may be assuming it (correctly), and Win98 could just be getting it wrong somehow.

Are the problem stations out past legal distance,through too many hubs, or otherwise not quite hearing the DHCP server?

Are you running out of addresses to hand out?

If there is no simple answer, for two stations with problems that frequent, my own inclination would be to just give them static addresses and avoid the problems that way.

Good luck.

OK, this is a long shot, but I HAVE heard of it happening. The MAC (hardware) address on each and every network card is supposed to be unique. Occasionally, the manufacturer makes a mistake and duplicates a MAC. To find out, go to Start/Run and typein "winipcfg". Be sure the drop-down box is displaying the correct network card. Look at and compare the Adapter Address on each PC. If they are the same, there was a manufacturing problem and it is causing this problem. Change out the NIC and they should work fine.

Under normal circumstances, they will be different.

heres what i think you can do to fix this problem.
first in dhcp server, make a reservation for each pc giving you trouble,,, give it a name, and an ip rang eg,, 216.175.146.3 and put the mac adderss in. hit ok at the server.go to pc and use winipcfg and do a realease and renew. give it an ip nubmer that you know is not being used already. when it renews with the ip reservation you set upthe other that is conflicting should resolve it sefl. also check active leases and sort them by either nameor ip address. if these 2 pc come up, delete them both in dhcp server and have them winipcfg and releasese renew. also you may need to set up a wins sever. if you have a wins server make sure that check your tombstones and sort by ip number there and see if both pcs ips come up and delete them from there...
bill