“DHCP Server Unavailable”

What’s the best way to get around “DHCP Server Unavailable” message when Win9x/Me is the client and you’re sure that the server is up and running, TCP/IP, nic and all connection are correct, IP_A_Off (the file that stops IP adress automation) is installed? This ivolves a Relay Agent across WAN to route DHCP broadcasts beyond routers. There must be some way I can obtain an IP. The irony is that sometimes it succeeds randomly without me making any changes on either client or server. Any advice would be appreciated!