DHCP and Alternate Configuration (IP)

I cannot figure this one out and was wondering if someone has any ideas. I have a DHCP server running and assigning addresses to PC’s on the network. I have also configured the Alternate Configuration, within the OS on each machine, to have a different IP address (like a backup address and different subnet). Usually when the machines get turned on they fail to grab an address from the DHCP server and default to the Alternate IP address, which is not even on the same subnet as my network. Is there any way that I can increase the timeout on the DHCP request so that the server has time to grant an address before the workstation decides to use the Alternate? Any one? Please?
Thanks,
Jeff.