Err Msg: "The Specified IP Address Is Not Valid..." When Typing Static IP Address (238727)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q238727
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

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: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

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:

    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 that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are 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.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB238727
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.