how can i check that?When you loose the connection, does the Powerbook still have a standard 192/10/172 IP address or does it get a 169 one?
how can i check that?
right now its working, but suppose those numbers are not the ones that the ip starts with, what will i make of it?System Preferences>Network>IP address. The 192, 172, or 10 should be one of the starting numbers when everything is working correctly.
starting numbers don't seem to change but the 2 the last numbers did change when internet came back on, eg. it was .33 and became .34 without me switching on/off the router
yes there are only two macs and yes i get a msg of conflictingEdit 1: Are there only two computers on that network, do you ever get a message of conflicting IP numbers?
For instance, when it happens, is there another device connecting to the network, any internet capable device, like an iPhone(smartphone), tablet?
If so there could be a conflicting IP.
yes there are only two macs and yes i get a msg of conflicting
the solution you give (folder dragging) i must do it in both macs?
Aha, that is your problem, you've got two conflicting IP numbers.
Edit: Ethernet or wireless???
Let Me expain-simple.
An IP number is similar/like a physical address, now lets say in your street there are two houses with the same number and also same name of the people inside, then there is a mail delivery, the guy has never been there so where to deliver, he does not know, therefore a conflict.
Now, the solution in the Edit I gave you won't work.
There are several ways to solve the problem, assigning IP numbers to certain computers in your home in the router, this is a bit tricky and not even always posible if the modem/router is from the provider.
What you can do is to assign a static IP to both computers, this is not that hard.
Steps to assign IP to a(each) Mac computer.
You should write down the IP numbers of both computers first, you can find that in Network in System Preferences
1 Open Network in System Preferences
2 Click ethernet Edit: Or Airport if wireless connected
3 click advanced
4 In the Tcp/IP Tab there is a selection in IPv4, click and select "Using DHCP with manual Address
5 In the IPv4 Address box fill out the Address you want***
***Best way now is to choose a higher number but be aware that the first 9 numbers should be the same as before, lets say you had 192.168.1.3 then you need to add 192.168.1. first and than the last number(s), see below.
6 Best way is 1 computer on ***.***.***.100, other on 101.
***.***.***. is your old 9 numbers.
Example, your IP was 192.168.1.2(OLD) then new one should be 192.168.1.100 and 192.168.1.101
No need to restart.
If you need more help, PM me, faster, be aware though I am in Asia, GMT + 6 hours
Edit: Just a question, do you have a wireless enabled computer or router, is it on, if so and you don't use it switch it of or change the password, maybe someone is lurking on your network and causes the problem of conflicting IP numbers, I've rarely seen this on Apple(if ever), maybe some PC is piggy backing on your network.
Some modems can easily broken into, even on WPA(Thompson for instance)
Edit Again: If you connect wirelessly you should really change your password and connect using WPA/WPA2, not WEP, maybe that is the whole problem, people hacking into your home network.
There is nothing wireless in my network. The router is an old Zyxel Prestige 660H so i don't understand why this is happening especially since this setup is like this for over 2 years... why this issue now?
When there are two computers on a network is it mandatory to be on static ips? If so, then what is the use of having DHCP on auto? (or is this irrelevant?)
how can i check to know if my Zyxel is the problem?Sorry to reply so late, did NOT have internet for 1 day, this is Asia
No normally you don't need Static IP, it should work out of the box, but you had/have a problem so this way you could potentially solve the problem.
As I told you before, I never saw this problem on a mac, probably the Zyrex is the problem.
Sometimes you want to have a static IP address to always connect to the same address, Example, I have a Deambox Satellite receiver and I assigned a Static address to it so the software I have on my mac I do not need to search for it every time.
I have 6-7 devices on my network, 2 Tv's-Dreambox-AppleTv-Powerbook- and 1 or 2 telephones, all a static IP assigned in the router, this way I know which device has which IP for convenience.
I also know that even providers give you Static IP for instance if there are connection problems.
Regarding your two questions.
1 No, it is normally not mandatory to have Static IP
2 Since you have problems you could solve the problem by assigning Static IP's, is it relevant you ask, not normally but as above, you have problems so try this.
Cheers
How can i check to know if my Zyxel is the problem?
no its not supplied by the provider, i bought it back then and still was using it, only now i encounter this issue.I just looked up your modem(P-660h**), It seems to be a fairly old ADSL+ modem router, Is this modem supplied from your provider, if so I would give them a call and say you have problems with it, maybe they will send you a new one if requested.
no its not supplied by the provider, i bought it back then and still was using it, only now i encounter this issue.
cant i see if its the modems fault or not?