In certain scenarios select editions of Windows Vista RTM can lose the IP address received through a DHCP server, Microsoft informed. According to the Redmond company the gold version of its latest Windows client can revert back to an Automatic Private IP Addressing address instead of retaining the DHCP IP. Such problems are associated with end users waking up Vista-based computers from sleep or resuming from hibernation. Fortunately enough, a solution is and has in fact been available since mid-March 2008. Directly affected by the problems are both the 32-bit and the 64-bit Vista Business, Enterprise and Ultimate SKU.

"After you resume a Windows Vista-based DHCP client computer from sleep or from hibernation, the computer may lose its IP address. This problem may occur if there is more than one network interface on the computer, such as a real network interface and a virtual private network (VPN) interface," the Redmond giant informed.

Microsoft described the scenario reported by end users, revealing that it involves bridging a Vista-based DHCP machine with a remote VPN server via a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) VPN connection. According to the software company, cutting off the connection, and then placing in and subsequently resuming the PC from sleep or hibernation modes, will result in Vista losing the DHPC IP.

"In this scenario, the computer loses the IP address that was assigned to it by the DHCP server. Instead, an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address, such as 169.254.0.1, is assigned to the client computer. Therefore, you cannot access some network resources," Microsoft added. The resolve made available by the Redmond company is none other than Service Pack 1, RTM'ed on February 4, 2008, and released to the general public on March 18. Vista SP1 copies are not impacted in the least by this scenario.

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the operating system is available for download HERE.