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Duplicate Name Exists on the Network Alert

Occasionally when using VPN for authentication, an alert with the error message of "Duplicate name already exists on network" appears. To solve this problem, the computer name must be changed to a unique name. We suggest the name in the form of "ws-saclinkID" such as "ws-sac12345" or "ws-js12" to ensure the name is unique. Follow the indicated directions based on the Operating System to change the computer name. 

Windows 95/98/ME

  1. Click on the Start button, select Control Panel from the Settings menu.
  2. Select Network from the Control Panel window.

    3. Windows 95/98/ME Network Dialog - Config Tab

  3. Click on the Identification tab from the Network window.

    4. Windows 95/98/ME Network Dialog - Identification Tab

  4. Enter your registered hostname in the Computer Name box.
  5. Click OK, and reboot the computer.

Windows 2000

  1. Right Click on My Computer either on the desktop or from the Start Menu and the System Properties window will appear.

    2. Windows 2000 - System Properties - Network Identification Tab

  2. Click on Properties and the Identification Change window will appear.

    3. Windows 2000 - System Properties - Network Identification Properties

  3. In the Computer Name field enter a unique name for your computer and click OK to apply the changes to your computer.

Windows XP

  1. Right Click on My Computer either on the desktop or from the Start Menu and the System Properties window will appear.
  2. Click on the Computer Name tab.

    3. Windows XP - System Properties - Computer Name Tab

  3. In the Computer description box enter a unique name for your computer.
  4. Click Apply to make the change to your computer name effective.

Last Updated: February 3, 2006