Rutabaga64  what os on you on XP, Vista, Seven  32bit, 64bit ?

If you got 169 error then there is a 94% chance that your computer has registry problems..

here is something I found hope it helps

the Site

http://www.error-fix-tool.com/error.php?t=169

Technical (Deep) Description of Error Code 169:

Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3790]
(C) Copyright 1985-2003 Microsoft Corp.

This is a full Description of ERROR CODE 169:

ERROR 169: BOOTING_IN_SAFEMODE_NETWORK.This error is due to The system is booting in safemode - Minimal Services with Network.The default facility code

ERROR 169: SQL_169_severity_15.This error is due to A column has been specified more than once in the order by list. Columns in the order by list must be unique..The default facility code

ERROR 169: STATUS_BAD_MASTER_BOOT_RECORD.This error is due to The type of a token object is inappropriate for its attempted use. .The default facility code

Look for this just above the comments

Error 169 Repair tool

Or right Click on the above words (Error 169 Repair tool)

and it will open a download box to download it

then click open link in new tab

Hope this helps you out

and let the other know what OS it is

Thank you so much for the advice.  I ended up spending 2 hours on the phone with a Dell tech who was VERY familiar with this issue.  It's a somewhat common problem in Vista, according to him.  They have gotten lots of calls about it, and he himself had experienced it more than once on his own computer.  End result is, I'm upgrading to Windows 7 with his assist next Saturday.  He said he has personally heard of zero problems of this type with Windows 7, and he says all the customers he's worked with who've had Windows 7 have all been very pleased with it.

Stinking Vista, I wish I'd paid attention to all the bad juju I'd heard about it and waited to buy a new computer until Windows 7 came out.  Oh well, them's the breaks.

Thanks again!!!

Uh, DistirbedComputer . . . that's error code 169, not getting a network address starting with 169. If an address isn't assigned manually or through DHCP, Windows will assign an address in the range 169.254.*.*

There's something up with the network. Try this procedure?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

No guarantees, though. The Dell employee probably suggested a reinstall because it would reset everything and so fix it that way. And it could be due to hardware outside of your computer.

Chances are you aren't pulling an IP from your router/network.

here's some stuff you can try ( in the following order )

1. reboot your cablemodem/router.

2. Disable/enable network connection

2. click <start> then <run> then type CMD . Should give you a command prompt. In the prompt type netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt  Let it run untill it's done then reboot your PC.