Err Msg: "The Specified IP Address Is Not Valid..." When Typing Static IP Address

ID: Q238727

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to type a static Internet Protocol (IP) address in Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows 98 Second Edition, you may receive the following error message:

The specified IP address is not valid. Please check that the value that you typed is correct. If you believe the value is correct but you still receive this error message, check with your network administrator.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs when you type an IP address ending in .255. In some cases, this is not a valid address. However, the error message is still displayed if the address is valid.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys and Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

To work around this issue, type the IP address manually in the registry:

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Network.


  2. Set the IP address for the desired adapter to x.y.z.254, where x, y, and z are the proper values for your network.


  3. Close the Network properties dialog box, and do not restart the computer when you are prompted to do so.


  4. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).


  5. Locate the NetTrans subkey in the following registry key:


    6. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Class\
  6. The subkeys under the NetTrans key are 0000, 0001, and so on. Find the proper key by looking at the values in these keys. The proper key contains an IPAddress value matching the address you previously set.


  7. Double-click the IPAddress string value.


  8. Change the .254 at the end of the address to .255, and then click OK.


  9. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.



STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.


MORE INFORMATION

This behavior occurs only when assigning static IP addresses. Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 98 Second Edition computers function properly when this type of address is assigned automatically using DHCP.

Additional query words: SE 


Keywords          : 
Version           : WINDOWS:95,98,98 Second Edition
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: August 12, 1999