How to enable ICMP echo requests (Ping) in Windows XP (Service Pack 2) (Swiki:164)

The default setting in a freshly installed and updated Windows XP installation has the built-in firewall configured such that the computer does not answer ICMP echo request, also called pings. Unfortunately, this way the DHCP server has no possibility to find out, whether an IP address is still in use and it might assign the same IP address to some other computer. This will lead to problems for both computers sharing the same address.

Note: If you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 1 you should follow the instructions on the page How to enable ICMP echo requests (Ping) in Windows XP (Service Pack 1)

For Windows XP follow these steps:

• From the Start menu choose the Control Panel

• Choose Network and Internet Connections

• Choose Network Connections

• With the right mouse button choose Properties from Local Area Connection

• Choose the Advanced Tab

• Choose Settings…

• Choose the Advanced Tab

• Choose Settings… for ICMP

• Activate Allow incoming echo request

• Confirm your changes with OK.