If they unplug the network cable and then plug it back in, then will that force a reload from the local DHCP server?

Interesting idea seanyboy. It might, but given that these machines are booting up with the cable connected, I don't know if an unplug and plugin might do it. I will try it next time happens though!

From the command line:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

More

Create a scheduled task that runs at login.
Have it run C:\Winnt\System32\ipconfig.exe /renew
Give it the administrator ID and password.

If the user loses the ip address, they just need to log out and log back in.

I don't think an unplug / replug cycle will do it. Moreover, left to it's own devices, a machine will request a lease renewal on reconnnection, rather than a release/refresh.

However, you can set a DHCP option to "Relase DHCP Lease on shutdown" if you're running an MS DHCP server. Open the DCHP mmc, and then edit the Zone options, Advanced Tab, then select Microsoft Options in the Vendor Class dropdown box. Then your users can do a boot cycle to get a fresh address.

Also, check that your conflict detection setting isn't too high on the DHCP server - if it's trying to ping an address >2 times before handing it out, that can cause delays long enough for APIPA to kick in on XP.

Are you doing DHCP relaying across networks, or anything else that could cause the timeouts? Is your network a clusterfsck of 5-port minihubs and broadcast storms?

'Nother thought: Is limitation on Ipconfig.exe by virtue of it being in the C:\WINDOWS\System32\ directory, which is protected from user-land? could you copy it into C:\Program Files, or somewhere that users have execute? You might also need to "attrib -S" the moved exe to clear the System File attribute and / or monkey with the ACL on it to enable execute.

And because I can't shut up today: You can disable the "Wisdom of XP" by disabling APIPA. However, if you are having trouble with DHCP, you might be buying yourself more trouble than you are fixing.

Or, I guess you could just add users to the local "Network Configuration Operators" group. /sheepish

Wow, thanks for the other ideas you guys. I got busy this afternoon and didn't get a chance to test anything, but...I will tomorrow.

On your client laptops:

- Right-click "My Network Places", select "view network connections".
- In the dialog box, ensure that there's a checkmark in "show icon in notification area when connected".

Now, when a user loses their IP, just have them right-click the icon in the notification area, one of the options is "repair". Have them do that, it should renew the IP address.