Keywords: Microsoft Vista and XP operating systems; Comcast Broadband Modem D-Links DCM-200; Default IP Address 169.254.16.182; LAN Ethernet Card speed and duplex; No internet connection.
Solution: My (old) Windows ME computer properly accesses the internet using the subject modem, but my XP and Vista computers will not connect with same modem and returns the improper default address. Although Comcast technical (phone) support initially confirmed proper signals through the modem and proper operation thereof, many hours of diagnostic investigation revealed that the 2002-vintage modem is just too old today in 2007, and is limited in speed. The XP and Vista computers were unable to diagnose this problem and simply returned the default IP address which prevented modem communication.
The temporary solution under Vista is to access the Advanced Properties under Network Management, and change the Auto Negotiation Value for the Speed and Duplex option to the 10mbps Half Duplex entry. This limits the speed of the Ethernet LAN card to the maximum permittted in my old-style modem and allows Vista to return the proper IP address to communicate with the modem.
The better solution is to purchase the latest cable modem, which now includes software/firmware not only for the faster Ethernet cards in modern computers, but which also allows the ISP provider to automatically update the modem through the service line, and thusly obviate this particular problem. So, depending on the age and capability of your particular modem, you may or may not experience this perplexing internet communication problem.

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