Question

Hidden network adapter using my IP address

Asked by: sapaso

Hello, I have a network adapter issue. My Server has 2 physical NICs, but when I try to check TCP/IP configuration on one of them, I get a message like this: " The IP Address x.x.x.x is already assigned to another network adapter... that other adapter is hidden from the Network Connections Folder because it is not physically in the computer...."

How can I find and delete/change that hidden network adapter??

Also, when I double-click any adapter icon on the Network Conections Folder, It does not open the properties page. I have to Right-click/properties to get the properties page.

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Asked On
2007-04-27 at 13:02:05ID22539358
Tags

network

,

hidden

,

adapter

,

ip

Topics

Network Cards & Adapters

,

Windows NT Networking

,

TCP/IP

Participating Experts
4
Points
350
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: jayneePosted on 2007-04-29 at 03:45:54ID: 18996788

I wonder if you have a situation where another device has been assigned the same IP address as the NIC in your server, maybe a laptop that isn't always connected...  Have you used a tool like lookatlan to track down the netbios name of the IP address?

 

by: sapasoPosted on 2007-04-29 at 09:32:19ID: 18997683

No, I have not. But from the message I can tell that another "virtual" adapter on the same server is using the IP address.
Is there a command or tool where I can see ALL physical and virual adapters and IP addresses?

 

by: jayneePosted on 2007-04-29 at 10:50:07ID: 18997904

I have seen something like this when someone has misconfigured a dialup adapter (modem connection) trying to get it to act as a node on a WAN - what op system are you using?  Try downloading from http://www.lookatlan.com/ and running for starters, to get a map of all your current IP addresses.

 

by: basin2wayPosted on 2007-05-01 at 12:32:19ID: 19010954

Usually, this is an indication that you have had a previouos adapter istalled in this machine which used the same IP address as the adapter you are currently trying to use. Since the adapter is not present you can not see the adapter in the network adapters list. Refer to Microsoft article KB269155 for information on revealing and removing the non present adapter(s).

 

by: sapasoPosted on 2007-05-10 at 20:51:18ID: 19070042

Thanks everyone for your help.
I finally formated the server. I never knew what the problem really was.
Regards,
-s

 

by: umaiir2000Posted on 2008-05-13 at 01:57:28ID: 21553226

If this problem occur again try this it will solve the problem

CAUSE
A network adapter with the same IP address is in the registry but is hidden in Device Manager. This can occur when you move a network card from one PCI slot to another PCI slot.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, uninstall the ghosted network adapter from the registry using one of the following methods:

1.      Click Start, click Run, type cmd.exe, and then press ENTER.
2.      Type set devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices=1, and then press ENTER.
3.      Type Start DEVMGMT.MSC, and then press ENTER.
4.      Click View, and then click Show Hidden Devices.
5.      Expand the Network Adapters tree.
6.      Right-click the dimmed network adapter, and then click Uninstall.

 

by: itstheridePosted on 2008-07-28 at 08:14:30ID: 22103951

Umaiir2000 and basin2way are correct here is the link

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/269155

 

by: itstheridePosted on 2008-08-07 at 12:05:33ID: 22184191

Make sure you try method 2 with the DEVCON tool on the link in my previous post if method 1 (umaiir2000's way) does not work.  

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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