Hi!
I have a computer, connected to University's LAN (I live in student's home). Every student was assigned an IP which we are supposed to use. Sometimes I get an error "IP address conflict with another system on network" - the icon then shows as if I were still connected, but internet doesn't work. Sometimes it helps if I just log off from my Windows account, and log back in. Can anyone tell me what could be the problem?

Somebody is using your ip. prolly to surf pron or so. Yust tel your administrator about it.
The fact u got an fixed ip is prolly for loggin purposes

ask him information about the proxy and if u can use it.

I assume you've done this already, but make sure you set up your computer to use the IP they gave you (Static). If you have checked "Obtain Automatically," school's the DHCP may be assigning you one that some other student already has. If you have it set to static already, perhaps they issued the same IP to more than one student?

I am using the IP I got, and I don't believe they gave the same IP to more students. But it is possible someone is using it anyway... Which I don't understand is: I get this error while I am already logged on the network, using it. It would seem logical, even if someone else would try to use my IP, it would not let him in... Since the IP already exists. I did a test with a friend, I tried to use his IP while he was logged, but it would not let me...

Anyone? Please?

That would seem logical. We have dhcp wireless at my school and it seems like I get that error a lot, but I never lose my connection. I would definitely let an admin know. He can watch for other people using your ip and do something about it. It is weird though that it kicks you off when you were the initial one to use it.

Forget what was assigned to you! Use a different IP! Even go to another net if you have to (ex, 192.168.1.20 was assigned to you so use 192.168.2.29 instead, etc)

i don't think that's a wise idea because the person that is using your ip might be doing some nasty surfing/downloading and then you will be responsible for it most likely :s

as said above, i also think you should notify the admin about ths issue

report this matter to your administrator. if i'm not mistaken the error would give you what mac address of the other party in conflict . better report that too so help find out who uses your ip address.

as stated somewhere above, its probably being used for non acceptable manner. and if you dont report this matter immediately, you might be in trouble sooner or later.

having the same ip address on the network dont mean that you wont be able to login. the other party might not need to login to use your ip for what purpose.

the other party might not really be doing illegal things, but sort of denial-of-service attack on you. remember, your unable to use your internet access.

tikz

I signed an agreement I would only use my IP
Anyway, if it comes to this, I just change it to something else (some i know is not in use) and work with that one - untill I can use my own again. But that is exactly what I am afraid of - I may loose my internet access if the one using it does some nasty stuff

The error gives me just what I wrote here... I'm using winXP, so the error is just a baloon in the system tray... Is there a way I could get the mac adress anyway?

Anyway... If the person really is doing some attack, could a good firewall help with this? I'm using win XP's SP2 firewall - maybe that's not such a good idea?