When a DHCP client is unable to retrieve an IP address from the DHCP server, the default behavior is to assign an APIPA (Automatic Private IP IPddress in the range 169.254.*.*, and to report this event via a notification.
Starting with Windows XP SP2, a Group Policy Object, Turn off notifications when a connection has only limited or no connectivity, at User Configuration / Administrative Templates / Network / Network Connections, allows you to manage the notification.
If the policy is Enabled, the user will NOT receive notification when an APIPA is assigned.
If the policy is Disabled, or Not Configured, the user receives notification.
If the policy is Not Configured, you can enable the policy by setting the NC_IpStateChecking Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, to 0, at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Network Connections.
