Question : Windows System Error – There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network.

Windows System Error – There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network.

I recently diagnosed a fault in my server NIC which was a 3Com PCI card. I replaced it with an Intel Pro/1000 T. The problem is that the original card had a static IP address of 192.168.1.3. This address is required for the new Intel card and an error message is displayed that there is a conflicting IP address in the system.

The conflict is not that another node has the same address but it is as a result of the 3com card not being uninstalled correctly. The operating System is Windows 2003 SBS Enterprise Edition

My question is, how do I remove the original configuration settings which will remove the error message. The network is working fine other that the error message. The system settings shows the 3Com card hidden but will not allow it to be removed. When I attempt to uninstall the device, an error message “Failed to uninstall the device. The device may be required to boot the computer” is displayed.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Answer : Windows System Error – There is an IP address conflict with another system on the network.

The error that you are getting is quite common in that scenario. i.e. when replacing a network card.

Your system will continue to work correctly with the old NIC card/settings as is.

The only way to uninstall the card is to put the old card back in and then remove it.

This behaviour is by design, and dates back to WinNT 3.1, when you HAD!!! to absolutely remove the OLD NIC first, reboot and then install the new NIC.