My operating system is XP. Recently I began getting an error message that says: "Windows System Error There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network." It says that both computers are trying to use the same name. I have my notebook comp. networked with my desktop but have not had any problems with it. I haven't changed anything. What could be the problem and any suggestions on how to correct it? I don't know a lot about networks but have read a lot about it. On this site, the very problem is mentioned but I couldn't figure out what it meant or what to do. Can anyone break it down so that a real network novice can understand it? As it is, I can't use my DSL line and am dependent on a dialup until I get this worked out. Thank you for any help you can be. Networks are like a lot of other mechanical or technical things....once you know how to use them, you can understand the instructions. ;-) Elizabeth

One easy, quick fix, would be to turn off one of the computers. This will eliminate the conflict.

did you try running the network wizzard. renaming the computers and be careful when you select how they connect to the internet to avoid a conflict

One of the computers is off....but the desktop still will not recognize the network and that makes my DSL unavailable. I tried running the network wizard but it didn't change anything. When I check status of the DSL, in the support segment, it says the IP address is wrong and there is nothing listed beside it and no numbers for the subnet mask or the default gateway even through they are correct in the setup. Baffling. Thanks for your responses. Elizabeth

try uninstalling your network card, in hardware resource, then reboot, if your connections are all working this should reset your network to its original setup

I've been offline for a few days but wanted to get back here to thank all of you who responded with suggestions. I was able to get my desktop network, IP address, DSL all worked out but I can't get the laptop to access the DSL or the network. When I first began having problems with the IP conflict, we had a storm that knocked out the electricity. I have the desktop on a battery backup and everything got shut down correctly. At that time, when I tried the laptop, it couldn't join up with the network...which wasn't surprising since the desktop was turned off. But as is typical, it prompted me to designate if I wanted it to reconnect with the network next time I logon. I thought later that I may have clicked "no" without thinking. I've tried from the laptop to map the "F" drive (what we have designated) to the C drive of my desktop but it just gives error messages even though I have typed the name exactly right. And even though the Ethernet Card lights up and sounds as the computer is booting up....it isn't showing the DSL Icon in the taskbar as usual. The laptop accesses the DSL directly...wireless...does not go through my desktop to access the internet. Anything sound like an obvious problem that I'm missing? The TCP/IP Protocol was set to automatically getting an IP address. That's not the way it was before this happened and I set it back to what it had previously been. But either way...it doesn't work. Any help? I'm going to read past posts and FAQ for a bit also in attempt to figure this out. Like I said, I don't know a lot about networks...in fact very little. Thanks, Elizabeth...sorry this is so long.