can't find IP address causing conflict

IPT

I am running windows XP home and recently installed Norton Protection Center. Lately we get the "windows system error" reporting an IP address conflict. Am I missing something because I don’t see any conflict? The main computer goes out LAN hardwired to a switch. That computer is connected to the internet via DSL. I looked and all the IP address' are different. I even changed the second computers up 100 to see if it made a difference. I tried the ipconfig/renew (on the main computer) and it said there was no adapter permissible to do the operation. This system had been working at least two months without issue. The Norton was the only system change.

ipcongif =

Main computer:
Ethernet Adapter –
IP 192.168.0.1
Submask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway – blank

PPP adapter ACS DSL
IP 209.112.170.165
Submask 255.255.255.0
Gateway 209.112.170.165

Second computer
IP 192.168.0.181 (was previously 192.168.0.81)
Submask 255.255.255.0
Default gateway 192.168.0.1

I’m stumped. Any ideas? Please be real specific as my working knowledge of all this is very entry level.

I did see something from Norton but I have no idea how I got it or what it is.

Gateway 192.168.5.254
Local IP 192.168.5.100


Please....we're going nut : )

wanted68

If you have an router dont use ipconfig. It doesnt help you.

You need your public ip, not the rouert ip.

Go to http://www.ip-adress.com

IPConfig cant say whats your public ip if you use routers.

Armo

exactly how is that second machine connecting to the internet? throught the main machines network port?

also if you have a netgear router by chance, it uses 192.168.0.1 for its WAN interface.

IPT

wanted68 wrote:

If you have an router dont use ipconfig. It doesnt help you.

You need your public ip, not the rouert ip.

Go to http://www.ip-adress.com

IPConfig cant say whats your public ip if you use routers.

OK, my IP address is the same as the gateway # for the PPP adapter ACS DSL. Is that a "conflict" or what it should be since that is the device accessing the internet for our DSL?

mtrox

The advice about the public IP is steering you wrong. Once you get all computers hooked up, they will all share the same public IP. That is the goal. Your problem is that your computer sees another private IP that is the same as the IP address in your computer.

When you try to release and renew the main computer and it tells you there is no adapter that can perform that function, I get suspicious in a hurry. So there's a static IP set in that computer? If there are no static IP's plugged into either computer than your router will make sure each computer has a unique IP address.

But your IP info also makes me wonder if you're using internet connection sharing. Is that the case?

IPT

I figured the public IP address would be the same since I am only conecting via the same route. Yes, I am sharing the internet connection. I have had it pointed out that that may be the issue by a local friend. Strange that after months this suddenly occurred. I don't have a router - but will get one if it'll solve the problem. Is it not possible to share as I am without causing a conflict?

PS: thanks MTROX, I think you you are right. Love your icon - basically what I feel like doing to my head and computer at this point

mtrox

Internet Connection Sharing is known to be a bit "buggy". Now that routers are so cheap (like around $60 - $70 for a good Linksys wireless router) its hardly worth putting up with the unreliability of ICS.

If you have a router it will hand out IP addresses, and no two computers will get the same private IP address. However, if one of those two computers has a static IP address plugged in, you might get the same problem.

I'd get a router, it's so much easier and reliable. If you still have the problem, you need to go into TCP/IP on the network adapters on those two computers and make sure they are all set for automatic addressing. Check the Alternate Configuration tab too just to be sure there is no static IP plugged in.

IPT

seems like the router will be the way to go. I was just working with my DSL tech people and we got rid of the IP conflict. The computers had IP address' manually configured. That solved the conflict problem (going to auto). However, my second computer no longer communicates with the first on the network (or vise versa). I re-ran the Network wizard in windows XP. Still no workable network, and then I couldn't get on the internet from the main compter anylonger. Checked, and lo and behold the XP Wizard set the IP to a manual address! I set it back to auto and could get on the intenet again, but now I need to figure out how to get my computers to communicate again! I don't need a static address' for the network do I?

mtrox

You have two things in your system that are known to be real wild cards when it comes to networking. ICS and Norton Protection Center...that is if Norton includes Norton Internet Security.

I haven't used ICS for a long time and don't remember if you set the client computers to automatic addressing, or if you take that setup disk to the client computers and that little wizard thing gives them a static IP.

If I were you I'd just go buy a router, connect the DSL to the WAN port of that and connect the other two...either wirelessly or via CAT5 cable to the LAN ports. Then just make sure the network adapters are set for auto addressing, and the DHCP in the router will hand out unique IP addresses for both computers.

Do make sure you plug the CAT5 into the right network adapter on your main computer. Since you have ICS that means you have two adapters. Connect one of the LAN ports on the router to the ethernet card that has the DSL in it now. The other card is configured to send TCP/IP to the other computers which it will no longer do.

IPT

MTROX, you've been most helpful, thanks! I now have internet and networking, but the error again. At least I know where it is coming from. The Windows Networking Wizard sets staic IPs and it's causing the conflict somehow. I will look into the Router and proceed as you suggested. Thanks again.

mtrox

I'm a little out of my depth as I've never used that network wizard to set it up. But I wonder if you're keeping the same internet shared connection on the second screen? That might keep your settings the way they are (including the static IP's)? I'd pick the second option on that page that says, "No, let me choose another way to connect to the Internet."

On the next page you "connect to the Internet through a residential gateway" which is their odd term for a router with DHCP. That should set your network adapters for auto addressing. If it doesn't, by now you know how to go in and change them yourself. Just in case, don't forget to set for auto DNS too.