Problem: 169.254 IP address configuration "stuck" on a wired ethernet adapter.
OS: Vista Ultimate 64-bit
What 169.254.x.x means: It's an error message configuration of sorts. The IANA reserved 169.254.0.0-169.254.255.255 for Automatic Private IP Addressing. In this case, if the NIC can't get an IP via DHCP, APIPA provides these addresses that are guaranteed not to conflict with routable addresses on the live network. Definition
Solution that worked:
Start: by typing "Command " in the Start Search block, then right click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as Administrator" - when/if prompted, click [Continue]
Next: Type "netsh [Enter]" then "winsock [Enter]" then "reset [Enter]"
This action resets the Winsock Catalog to a clean state.
Special Ingredient: You must entirely power off your machine, not just restart the OS. It may have been a bit overboard... I went so far as to turn the power off at the Power Supply once the PC had powered off, just to make sure that it was not in a low-power-mode. For some odd reason this fix doesn't work if you just "restart" the OS, performing a warm-boot.
What did not fix the issue:
"ipconfig /release" - the address remained 169.254.x.x - It would not change/release the offending 169.254.x.x address.
