Can some computer person help me?

[chirurgeon]

I keep getting an error message popping up that says There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network . I am using a wireless router with my lap top. Am I getting a conflict with a neighbor? It doesn't give me an option to fix this.

TIA

 

[MrVisible]

Your router is probably set so that it doesn't assign your IP addresses automatically, and each of your IP addresses on the computers you use is set manually. In which case, you can probably fix it by going into one of the conflicting computers' network settings, and changing the IP address for the connection. Bump the last digit up by one, or maybe two.

If that's not it, then I'm thinking maybe it's termites.

 

[JudicialTyranny]

The previous response is generally correct, I just thought I would clear up a few things.

Routers can't be set up to automatically assign IP addresses to computers.

Routers can be set up to give out IP addresses (enable DHCP in the router setup). Normally that is enabled.

But a computer must be set up to obtain its IP address automatically - the router can't force the computer to accept one. So it's likely not just a router issue.

Most likely someone set up your computers with a fixed IP address (instead of obtaining it dynamically from the router) and both computers are set up the same way with the same IP address. Or only one of the computers is set up with a fixed IP address and the other is obtaining it dynamically and when you start that one first, it gets the same address as the one that has the fixed address.

For example, you start one computer and it is assigned IP address 192.168.0.2, either as a fixed address or it gets it from the router dynamically.

Then you start the second computer and it has been assigned 192.168.0.2 as fixed address - then you get the conflict.

(If you started them in reverse order, you wouldn't have a problem because the router would know .2 is used and give out .3 - so if this only occurs occasionally, that might be why - it's the order you turn on the computers.)

Regardless, on each computer, change the network settings to obtain the IP address automatically. If you are using XP, that is in the Control Panel, under Network Settings, right-click on Local Area Connection, choose Properties, click on Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and click Properties.

 

[jfulcer]

yeah, what JudicialTyranny said... I second that. And I'm a computer person.

 

[chirurgeon]

The thing is, I only have ONE computer. That is why I was thinking it was something to do with the wireless router. And it doesn't happen all the time. I have been off work for the past few weeks and I don't notice it when I'm on the computer during the day, mostly at night. So maybe someone is piggy backing on my router?

Thanks for the replies,

 

[JudicialTyranny]

The thing is, I only have ONE computer. That is why I was thinking it was something to do with the wireless router. And it doesn't happen all the time. I have been off work for the past few weeks and I don't notice it when I'm on the computer during the day, mostly at night. So maybe someone is piggy backing on my router?

Oh - sorry. That's interesting.

It could be that someone is using your router. Have you set up security on your router? If not, you should do so.

You should get into your router's setup and enable the wireless security. It's hard to give specific instructions because each router is different. What kind of router is it (manufacturer and model #)?

First you want to (if possible) disable the broadcast of your SSID. That way the network's SSID (name) won't show up in a simple search. Then change the SSID.

Then you should enable the wireless security such as WEP Shared Key, then have it generate the key.

Once that is enabled, you'll have to change the wireless settings on your computer and enter the SSID and WEP key so it knows to use them when it connects. (You only need to do that once - it remembers them.)

That way, the pilferers would only be able to use your network if they know the SSID and key.

I suppose the other possibility is that you have a fixed IP address assigned to your laptop's wired connection and the router is giving out that address for the wireless connection and you get a conflict. I don't know if that's possible or not, but you can try disabling your laptop's wired network connection. You should be able to right-click on it in the tray (little icon next to the time) and disable it.

Also, if you think a neighbor might be using your connection, on most routers you can usually get some sort of on screen report of attached devices that will show you how many computers are connected to your router.