That's the automatic IP addressing (APIPA) new in windows 2000.

Basically your machine is set to use DHCP, but it can't communicate with the DHCP server, so it autodefaults the IP address to 169.254.x.y. (where x and y are random).

Check the TCP/IP settings of the PC.

Cheers,

Paul.

Paul Haigh, Reg. 4120
(mk1) 6GB, Blue, 00254
(mk2) 12GB, Red, 00357