# More computer problems

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 2, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013 "2006-01-02T00:18:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013/1 "2006-01-02T00:18:21Z")

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When I try to post a message on [Packing.ORG](http://www.packing.org/) I get a message that says “USER IP ADDRESS MISMATCH”.

First of all, what the hell does that mean???😕

Second, why would my IP address matter at all? I have a user name and password for that site. I am usually able to post on it from any computer in the world (and I have. I posted to it when I was in India using a hotel computer). What the hell is going on?

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013/2 "2006-01-02T00:23:53Z")

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It might have the capability to verify user accounts by IP address. That would be put in to prevent different users from using the same account at the same time. The fact that you posted from India may or may not have something to do with it.

Here are the steps that I would use:

1. Turn off your computer.
2. Turn off your cable or DSL modem
3. Turn all back on. That should reset everything on your computer and acquire a new IP address for you.
4. If the problem persists, contact the site administrator. It is a bug in their system.

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013/3 "2006-01-02T00:27:46Z")

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> [@Shagnasty](#):
>
> The fact that you posted from India may or may not have something to do with it.

Nah. I did that back in March. Plus I’ve posted from 'puters at work, at my Fadder-in-laws place in Florida, and from my sons house. I’ve never had a problem with that site. But I have been having problems with firfox. I wonder if it’s related.

I’m going to try your cure, though. will be back in 5.

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**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013/4 "2006-01-02T01:08:26Z")

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Rebooted, it worked. But now I’m aggravated! I’d like to know why that happened in the first place.

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**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-computer-problems/338013/5 "2006-01-02T01:12:54Z")

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> [@pkbites](#):
>
> Rebooted, it worked. But now I’m aggravated! I’d like to know why that happened in the first place.

It is impossible to know without having full knowledge and access to the systems on both ends and a sincere desire to know + lots of time on your hands to experiment and replicate. I am an IT consultant and I usually just tell users to take it as a gift and leave it at that unless it happens frequently.