How do I renew my IP address?

The method described by NS actually does apply to some internet connections, depending on the ISP and type of connection being used to that ISP. If you are using a modem that is acting as a 'bridge', it passes an external IP directly to your computer. This is common with some cable broadband providers. Depending on the configuration of their DHCP server, you may get a new IP or be reissued the same one for a given period of time - your 'lease time', based on the MAC address(es) of your device(s). A non-bridge device would not change your external IP based on those instructions.

If you are needing to change your internal (LAN, or local network) IP, those instructions will work with most routers, if there is more than one device on the network. Other circumstances apply which might cause your IP not to change on a local network.

Quite inexplicably, one day I started getting the same problem on my Powerbook, no matter where and how I connected (wireless, wired, etc.).

The problem was easily solved by deleting a preference file. See the steps here.
http://ryanjbonnell.com/journal/self-assigned

If that doesn't work, there are also some solutions mentioned here.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1417058&tstart=0

Go to System Preferences. Select "Network". Press the Advanced button and go to the TCP/IP tab that opens up. On that screen you will find a button that says "Renew DHCP lease". That should get you a new IP address, in most setups.

I want to update/change my IP address. How can I?

the above post tells you how to renew your local IP address from your router via DHCP.

If you are talking about changing your Public IP address that is a different thing altogether.

Perhaps if you posted why you need to make this change we can give you a specific solution.

momof8 wrote:
My IP address begins with 169 and because of this I cannot connect wirelessly to the internet. Can someone hellp me figure out how to change the IP address on my Ipod Touch?

You have it backwards. Your IP is 169 because you cannot connect to the internet.
It's a default address that appears when there is no real address to assign.

http://www.pctechbytes.com/computer/article-8.html

Message was edited by: nerowolfe

If an IP starts with 169.254.x.x then your client is setup with DHCP, but didn't get an IP address and therefore assigned this one by itself. It seems that in your network there's either no DHCP server running or your iPod touch can't join the network correctly. You can assign an IP (along with a valid subnet mask and gateway settings) manually in the network settings on your iPod. But if your network is somehow disallowing the iPod to join, this isn't going to get you anywhere. So I'd first check your router's settings if
a) the dhcp server is up and running
b) if there's some wireless security setting preventing to add new devices

Some servers limit the number of clients, others require the entry of the client's MAC and others may either be too old or need a firmware update.
It's also possible that the server is setup not using DHCP, but rather static, and the client must enter all the necessary information manually.

My IP address begins with 169 and because of this I cannot connect wirelessly to the internet. Can someone hellp me figure out how to change the IP address on my Ipod Touch?