Question regarding IP address...

[dirtynumber]

Hi, I recently refreshed my ip address because someone online said they had it, but now everytime I turn on my computer and log on it says theirs a windows error: duplicate name on this network. What can I do to fix this, does that mean something is messed up? Much help will be appreciated.

[pwrmngr]

Welcome aboard DN.

Are you in a network environment?

If so i usually set my own IP to static and give it a number so high that it will never be used in the IP Pool.

Chances are they use a block of IPs from 100 - 199 so when I do mine I set it at 197.

Now if you are in a network you have to find the ISP/Network preferred/alternate dns servers as well as the default gateway.

Hope that sheds lite....

[dirtynumber]

Well I only understood abit of that, sorry I never messed with my IP address before so I have no idea whats going on now, Basically I looked up how to refresh my ip address, so I did the command ipconfig/release then ipconfig/renew, however now it says duplicate name on this network even after I logg off and restarted, Ive heard that dynamic ips change all time but Im just not sure if mine does and Im using a dsl connection.

[bAdWaYz]

First off lets get some things clear. Who was the person that told you that you were using their ip? Was this a person that lives with you or just some goofball on the internet? Nextly how many computer use that dsl connection?

[dirtynumber]

Well I was playing an online game, and they said they had my ip address, and 2 computers in my house share the same dsl connection. Hope this helps, its really bugging me, I feel like this is irreversible and Im starting to panic.

[bAdWaYz]

Ok a few more questions then I think we can get you fixed up. Do you share this connection useing a router, switch, hub? When you did the ip refresh did you do ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew ? Lastly if you do use a router can you get into its setup via a web browser and if you can look for "dhcp client list or table" see what computers and ip's are in use currently.

[dirtynumber]

Ok I have an sbc dsl router, I did release first then renew, and lastly are you refering to the home portal monitor site that I can access via a web browser? If so were do I go to see the dhcp list..can I find this in network connections in control panel? Oh yea I forgot to mention if Im in bad shape, with that person having my ip through the game.

[bAdWaYz]

Ok for time sake and yours and my sanity lets try a shortcut. Right click the "My Computer" icon go down to properties and click it. Now click the "computer name" tab. Twards the bottom of that box see the "Change" tab click it. Now in the box under computer name blank it out and type another name for example "computer1" or something you want as long as its not the same as it was before. Then click ok and close. Note all this should be done on the problem computer not both. See if that gets ya all fixed up.

[dirtynumber]

Thanx a ton bAdWaYz, everything seems to be in order now, the error message doesnt come up anymore, however one quick question regarding a person having my ip address via a game, should I be worried about this, or will my IP eventually change. Speaking of which how do people even get a hold of someones ip while playing a game, how can I avoid this and will this complete stranger be able to do something to my computer or are his powers only limited to the game server which I think he was admin of.

[pwrmngr]

good to here bro :)

[bAdWaYz]

Well dirty it all really just depends. If this guy was in fact the admin of that game server it would be pretty easy to know what your ip address is. Heck I know what your ip address is myself just from you using this forum. The "attacks" that can be done solely based on an ip are limited to who the attacker is. I can tell you however that if you have a good router in place or software firewall you should be plenty safe from the everyday script kiddie. Since you like to play online games there are a few ports you will have to leave open thats just the way of the world, but if you lock down everything else via a hardware firewall "router" or software firewalls "Zone Alarm ect" you should be just fine. Don't freak out over people knowing your ip because the fact of the matter is its not hard to get hold of an ip address at all. If you have any questions about how to lock things down or good tests to run feel free to post back and we will get you all worked out. Glad to have you with us and happy networking :)