Static IP problem. Help please.

[seaniesharko]

I've recently been having problems with the static ip I set up. It has worked fine for the past month, but all of a sudden the static ip I entered disappeared.

When I open properties in the internet protocol and try to enter the static ip I've used before I get this error message...

"The IP address 192.168.1.136 you have entered for this network adapter is already assigned to another adapter 'instant wireless USB network Adapter ver.2.6 #5. 'Instant wireless USB network adapter ver.2.6 #5' is hidden from the network connections folder because it is not physically in the computer. If the same address is assigned to both adapters and they both become active, only one of them will use this address. This may result in incorrect system configuration.

Do you want to enter a different IP address for this adapter in the list of I[ addresses in the advanced dialog box?"

But, the thing is that's the adapter I'm trying to enter the same static ip into. Adapter ver.2.6 #5. That same adapter shows a blank space for me to put in the static IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses. But, it still says the static ip is already assigned to the very same adapter.

ergh... i duno what to do. Help would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[shwaavay]

This could be the result of having removed the USB adapter and then pluggin it back in. In rare circumstances this will cause your adapter to get a new Hardware ID. The old hardware ID still exists in your registry and has all of that IP information in it which is why you're getting the IP conflict message.

Solutions:

1. Open Device manager and click View --> Show hidden devices. Then remove all instances of the USB adapter under Network adapters. Then reboot and try setting it up fresh.

2. Just answer no when it ask you if you want to set a different address and it should work just fine. You'll have two adapters (one of which won't actually exist) that both have the same settings but will never be active at the same time.

[seaniesharko]

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by removing all instances of the USB adapter. I did everything you said, but this is the message i get when i try to remove them.

"failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot of the computer."

I tried removing all 5 of the adapters, but got that message for each.

[johnwill]

First step, Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore. Create a restore point and name it something like "Before USB Fix". This is to bail you out if something goes wrong during the following process and makes things worse.

Create a file with NOTEPAD containing the following lines and save it as FIX.REG

-------------------------- Use text after this line --------------------------------
REGEDIT4
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Environment]"DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES"="1"

-------------------------- Use text before this line --------------------------------

Double click on FIX.REG and say yes to the Merge Into Registry question.

Unplug ALL USB devices.
Open Device Manager.
View, Show Hidden Devices.
Uninstall all devices under USB Controllers.
Uninstall all the devices under Network Adapters.

When this is done, reboot TWICE.

Reconnect the USB devices and see if they're recognized properly.

NOTE: If you have a USB keyboard and/or mouse, you'll have to modify the instructions and leave enough parts for those to function. I don't have one yet, so I haven't had time to modify the instructions.