Why is it unable to obtain an IP address via DHCP?
Perhaps the DHCP server (perhaps a router, or other computer on the LAN) is disabled or not functioning (or for some other reason refusing to cooperate)? It does not sound like the problem is in the laptop.
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But the other four computers on my little network all work correctly. They all see each other and they see the internet. PAT]