I keep getting this message: "there is an ip address in conflict with another on the network."?

Question

I have two computers hook up to a linksys wireless router. My girlfriend accesses wireless using her macbook.
Ever since college started, I've been getting the above message and have occasionally had difficulty accessing the internet. I've reset my router and modem. What could be causing this?

Answer 1

Your problem is conflicting static IP assignment on the individual units, or the DHCP function of the router is faulting and handing out the same address more than once.
I would check for the network address range and assign static IPs to the units you want to connect.
If you have 192.168.1.x with the 255.255.255.0 sub net, you can use 192.168.1.2 - 192.168.1.254 (assuming the router is 192.168.2.1).
Enter the management console of the router and see if you can manipulate the DHCP settings. Set the range to limit it to 50 addresses (192.168.1.2 -192.168.1.51) and then statically assign .52 + to any of the PCs you want to connect. This will allow for the "random" item to join the network and still receive a DHCP assigned address (up to 50 can be assigned). Although you assign IPs outside of the DCHP scope to the other units, they will still be seen as within the network since they fall within the sub net.
If you are assigning the IPs statically, then you know there will be no conflicts.

Good luck

Answer 2

You computer is trying to use an IP address that is already being used. Make sure your computer is set up to obtain IP address automatically and that your router is set up as a DHCP server.
Or if you are using static addressing just make sure that all computers are set up to use different addresses.

Answer 3

If either computer on your network has a static ip set, this can cause the conflict.

if you log into the router you can do an ip refresh or renew to make sure everyone on the network has a different ip.

Answer 4

One of your computers may not be releasing and renewing the DHCP correctly. Check the network settings of both computers and ensure that they're set to use DHCP.

I've seen Macbooks hang on to IP addresses longer than they're supposed to.

Answer 5

Make sure you are getting your addresses through DHCP.

If for some reason you need to assign static IP addresses make sure they are unique.