Final answer:
When a Windows 7 system cannot contact a DHCP server, it assigns itself an APIPA address within a specific range and can only communicate on the local network. To resolve this issue, the system needs to reconnect to a network with a functioning DHCP server or troubleshoot network connectivity problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a system running Windows 7 is configured to receive a DHCP address, it means that it is set up to automatically obtain an IP address from a DHCP server. However, if the system cannot contact a DHCP server, it will not be able to obtain an IP address.
In this situation, the system will assign itself a default IP address called an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address. This address falls within the range of 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254. The system will use this APIPA address to communicate on the local network, but it will not have access to the internet or any other networks outside of the local network.
To resolve this issue and obtain a DHCP address, the system needs to either reconnect to a network that has a functioning DHCP server or troubleshoot any network connectivity issues that may be preventing it from contacting a DHCP server.