A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Ask Mr. Gremelin IP Conflict

James... I have a question too, I have 2 computers hooked to a router, now every so often I get an IP conflick message, what's causing this and what do I do to get rid of it forever? Right now I do a few cammands and get it working again, but I hate doing it and sometimes have to play with it along time to get connected again...help????

Well, when a computer connects to your router it's assigned an IP address (basically a number to identify each computer on the network). An IP Conflict is when two computers are trying to use the same IP address.

Generally this will happen when both are setup to use the same IP Address, generally set on the computer to use a "static" (never changing) ip address, versus a dynamic (changes as the router tells it to) ip address.

What you could try doing is:
1. Click "Start"
2. Click "Run"
3. Type "cmd" and hit enter
4. Type "ipconfig /all"

It should return something similar to:


Then compare the "IPv4 Address" field on the two computers to see if, in fact, while both are on, if they're trying to share the same IP address.

Likely, when whomever setup the router set it up, they either disabled the DHCP server on the router, or set each computer to use the same address.

Let me know what IP address shows and we'll go from there.

okay that's what I've been doing everytime to get it back on line, and sometimes an ipconfig /flush

Well, flush will have it reconnect to the router yes (usually voiding the lease from the other computer that may be using the same IP), /all will just show you all of the information about your connection

the flush usually gets it back on line, I just hate doing it. I don't feel computer savy

okay big question is it us or is it my internet service who's causing the problem?

Its you... If you're using a router, the router is the computer getting the ip from your isp and assigning ip's to your network.

If you could post me the results of "ipaddress /all" I can continue helping you troubleshoot... I need you to do that on both computers and tell me what it says...

I'll also need to know what OS the computers are using (windows XP, windows vista, etc) and weather or not you see an icon on your desktop that says "network" (or "my network places")

oh and when they came this last time the install a new box and we don't use the router now (But it still would not connect until I did the IP flush)

Both are on right now (different IP addresses) but that's not to say tomorrow they will be

Well, if you're not using a router it's either a "switch" or a "hub" which would gain two seperate ip's from the ISP; but I'd really need to know what the model number is on "the box" they installed to be able to look up what it is...

don't know where the model number is, it's a Zhone it says on top.

like I said it's wporking okay today

I hate this service I have when you call their 1-800 number they'll telly you right off the bat your computer is too old and out of date. Both these are less than a year old. I know they get out of date quick, but not that quick

Well, if it's a router, it's an issue with your computers/network. If it's a switch or hub then it's an issue with your host lol...

The model number would be on a sticker on the box, generally they like to put them on the back of it or the bottom

sure fire sign they don't know how to do their job lol...

I'm afraid to jiggle the box and it working. *lol* but next time one is down I'll write it down. Cause the first thing they tell us is to unplug the box and let it reset.

Lol, so it's a cheap box if they tel you to do that :P

I figured that, and then they try and treat you like an idiot, that probably works with somepeople, but I've been on a computer from back when all you had was cammand lines to type in.

my first word processor came with 7 books and everythign was done by hot keys

that's the first thing they tell me to unplug the box.

hubby says he thinks would do better if we unplugged at night

Ok, I still connect to the internet on a computer that was made in the 90's, we're talking a 128mb computer with a 500mhz processor... So if I can do that with standard network settings in windows XP, yours shouldn't be "too old" :x...

well I gotta run, we're getting re roofed today and then when they get done we're going to eat. thanks James