Vista Home Unable to get IP from DHCP Server

[RayDavis]

I was asked to diagnose a connectivity issue with a notebook computer at my church. I am baffled!
The computer has an integrated ethernet port. I connect a verified good cable to the port on the PC and the other end to Port3 of a 5 port hub. Also, connected to the hub is: Port1 LAN Cable; Port2 Desktop Computer (Windows XP). I also tried other ports on the hub.
(The wireless switch is in the off position)

I see LAN activity lights on the hub as well as the ethernet connector on the notebook.

The desktop computer WORKS (obtains IP address).
In the LAN Settings window, the status shows "Identifying".
The properties for the ethernet card are set to DHCP.

Now the kicker...
I take the PC home and connect it to my router. It connects immediately.

[drmsucks]

Has the notebook ever successfully connected?

[RayDavis]

Yes, I am told it was working until the last several days. I am unaware as to any changes made to the notebook which caused it to quit connecting. Several people use this computer.

Again, the desktop computer is working correctly. I disconnected the ethernet cable from the desktop and plugged it into the notebook but that didn't help.

I took the notebook home and connected it to my router and it connected immediately.

[Broni]

Did you try to connect laptop straight to the modem, bypassing router?

[RayDavis]

At the church, I moved the ethernet cable from another working desktop to the notebook. (No hub is involved in this connection.)It still fails to connect. That leads me to believe the LAN at the church is working (because the desktops work) and the problem lies in the notebook.

Yet, when I connect it to my home network, the notebook works. That confuses me.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Faulty Cable?

Can you try another one?

[RayDavis]

Again, the desktop computer is working correctly. I disconnected the ethernet cable from a working desktop (at the computer end) and plugged it into the notebook but that didn't help.
I have tried a total of 4 cables on-site. One of the cables was from my home which worked only at home.

[patio]

For 10 bucks i'd replace the NIC card...

[RayDavis]

I just installed the service pack (#1) on the notebook. I'll take it back on-site tomorrow and check it. At that time I may decide to replace the NIC.

I think my problem may be with Vista configuration but why does it work on my home network and not in the LAN environment.

I also deleted the NIC in Device Manager then restarted the PC. it was reinstalled by PnP on restart yet it still fails on the LAN  but works at home.

I have worked on evey flavor of Windows since Version 3.1 and have yet to see a network problem I couldn't repair until this one.