98 Loses Gateway IP address

When 98 boots up, it gets an IP from the router, can ping
the router, but when I do an IPconfig it does not have a
default gateway IP. Hence cannot use the internet. I then
do a "ipconfig /release_all" then "ipconfig /renew_all".
I am then able to get the Gateway address and use the
internet. I have already ---
Tested Cables/Data Points - ok
Uninstalled TCP/IP - Reinstalled - ok
Tried a different network card in the machine - ok
Gave the machine a static IP & gateway address - Static
IP works fine but the gateway address I punch in doesn't
come up at all after I do the reboot.

When I log off, then log back on, I must do the IP
release / renew to get hold of the gateway address.
Router is fine, 10 other 98 machines on the network are
ok..
Really considering doing a format, any help??