Internet Basics: Where to find IP and DNS Numbers
In Win 95/98/Me, click on start -> run, and enter WINIPCFG. This will reveal a drop-down which displays the various installed network adapters. TCP/IP configuration info will be displayed for each selected device.
In Win NT/XP/2000, click on start -> run , and enter CMD which will reveal the Command (or DOS) Screen. Type IPCONFIG /ALL and hit Enter, and the TCP/IP info will appear as per the figure below:
So if the helpdesk asks you what your IP address is, now you have a better idea of what they're talking about and where to find it!
Note: if this returns an IP address starting with '169', it means the computer has not been dynamically allocated an IP address and will default to a 169.x.x.x address. This is the case if you don't have a working connection to the Internet.