On a network of about 10 computers, all are XP except for 2. One is an older Win98, the other is Win98SE. In the past, all have connected to the Network to print and share files just fine. Lately, however, the Win98 and Win98SE pcs cannot be on the network at the same time. If one is connected and the other is turned on, a message will pop up on both the screens that says something like: "Hardware conflict with the computer at 192.168.x.xx" It will show the other pc's ip address. I'm not sure what the Hardware conflict is. The network cards on BOTH computers are set to "obtain an IP automatically." If one is off, the other can connect just fine (does not matter which...just not both). Is this a common thing (with a common solution)? THANKS

sounds like someone manually set the mac address on each to be the same. big mistake. otherwise you have a rare problem of nic cards mismanufactured with the same mac address. Change out one of the cards.

First try increasing the amount of available leased IP addresses to a number greater than the amount of PCs. I am guessing that one is retaining the IP address that the DHCP server is assigning to the other. Check also to make sure the computer names of the two Win98 machines are not more than eleven characters and make sure they are dissimilar names. Regards, Bryan

Thanks,will do. I'm not at the location currently but will be in a couple of days.

Oh and one other thing (if this matters...I hope I'm not adding unnessary details, but...just in case).... The network connections go through an 8 port Netgear router which is full and an older 3Com Office Connect switch. The Win98 (regular) is attached to the NetGear router. That router is uplinked to the older 3Com Office Connect switch. The Win98SE PC is connected to it, as is a wireless ap and a network printer. All computers print fine and wireless notebooks connect fine through that ap. Thanks

a hardware conflict is not the same as a ip conflict so adding ip addresses has nothing to do with the issue. check the netgears wan configuration. See if you have checked "use this computers mac address". If so this may be where the problem is.

I checked a different Netgear router (I'm not currently at the location described above). Netgear routers appear to have 3 MAC setting options: - Use Default address - Use Computer MAC address - Use This MAC address When I do check the router on location (prob Friday) should the "Use Defualt...." option be chosen? I will verify...but I'd guess that it is still on whatever the factory setting is...since the only special config done to it was to change it's IP address range (to be able to work with a static network printer). ...all PCs are connecting fine...cept the 2 above. THANKS Thanks