Connecting Laptop directly to a router question

[hardware]

Hey all

Quick question, been spending all day today trying to figure out why internet keeps dropping out at a school network after dismantling everything with trial and error testing the last step i did was connecting a laptop device directly to a gigaclear genexis router (Meaning cable directly from the Router to the Laptop bypassing all the switches in the hubroom) surely it should atleast pick up the internet right doing it this way?? (Assuming broadband was working)

 

Although when i did that doing an ip config it returned with an 169 IP address

 

Does this mean there could be a problem with the router potentially?

 

Any ideas? Maybe im missing the obvious

[southhamster]

Have you tried a crossover cable just in case? What is issuing your DHCP.& DNS.? Otherwise you'll need a static IP.

[robyholmes]

Your ISP router likely won't have DHCP so you'll need to set a static IP on the range of the router.