ip address in use

I got a message last night, that says "Another computer is using your ip address. Try again later. What does this mean?

Do you have a wireless router and connect to the internet through that?
Some one else is using the IP address your Mac usually uses.
Before I suggest anything, please tell us how you connect to the internet.
With details, please - OS version, router brand/model, Network Pref pane TCP/IP says Configure using DHCP?

gsahli

My os version is 10.6.8. My router is a Linksys, model Wrt54gl 1.1. I also have the Configure using DHCP set up. Thanks for your help.

Nelle

Forgot to ask you what encryption (security) you have set in the router.
It does sound like someone is using your internet.
You should set up the router to use WPA encryption.
You access your router using a browser and going to http://192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1
You'll need the router manual to know the default username and password for router access.