When ''winipcfg'' is run, it returns either 44:45:53:54:00:00 or 44:45:53:54:61:6F (which are not valid Ethernet addresses) or FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF or gives a fatal error. The ethernet card is not properly configured if you try to run ''winipcfg'' and it gives you a Fatal Error or an ethernet address that begins with 44:45

Solution:
If you have TCP/IP installed, then your ethernet card is probably not installed correctly. First ensure that your ethernet card is selected in the "winipcfg" dialog box. Click on the Start button, pull up to Run... and type in the Open field

winipcfg

Click OK. Select your ethernet card instead of PPP Adaptor in the pull down top most field. By default the PPP Adaptor will be selected in this dialog box, so do not worry if your ethernet card is not the one "selected." If you can select your card, you will see a change in the Adaptor Address that is being reported. This is the correct ethernet card address to register in the host database, not the one that starts with 44:55. You do not need continue with the rest of this solution as this is the number to register and will resolve your networking trouble.

If you cannot see your ethernet card in the winipcfg pull down menu, then most probably your computer is not recognizing the card properly. To troubleshoot, try the following:

Click on the Start Button.

Pull up to Settings... Control Panel.

Open the System control panel, select the Device Manager, and see if there are any items with big red X's or yellow exclamation points (!). If you see any of those, click on that item and Remove it, then close the control panel and restart your computer. That may fix the problem.

Clean up the system devices. Remove any "unknown" or "other" devices and any devices which Windows 95 claims are configured incorrectly.

Make sure that you have the Microsoft version of the TCP/IP protocol installed in your Network control panel.

If Windows fails to find any drivers, but you know that it does ship with one for that device (Plug 'n Play is not infallible), select the appropriate driver from the "other drivers" list. Choose browse to get the driver from the floppy disk A: drive if the card came with an installation floppy disk.

Check to see if any "other," "unknown," or "not working properly" devices remain. If one or more exist, then an appointment with the OIT Help Desk or an RCC visit is probably warranted.

After configuring the Network Control Panel for Dormnet, run ''winipcfg'' to find the ethernet address. If it starts with "45," then select the ethernet card, not the PPP driver in the topmost field. If it is "FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF," then a field support visit is probably warranted. In the meantime, unplug the computer from the network.

Complete instructions for how to find your Ethernet Address at located at the URL:
http://wwwnet.princeton.edu/enetAddress.howto.html

Contact an RCC for your College if you need help in your dorm room configuring Dormnet: http://www.princeton.edu/rcc