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Computer name keeps getting (2) appended to it.

I've searched high and low and can't seem to figure out why my iMac thinks the computer name is already being used on the network.


I can see in the sharing preference pane that the original name is what is indicated with this copy:

Computers on your local network can access your computer at: XXXXX.local


However, the name in the field above it has XXXXX (2) and each time I try to get rid of the (2) I get the message:


The name of your computer “XXXXX” is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to “XXXXX (2)


I can change the name using the EDIT button to anything else I want, and it doesn't add the (2). But once I change it back to my desired computer name, I get the same message that it's already being used.


I've tried turning off all of my sharing services but that still doesn't seem to allow the name to be used.


Any idea what other process is running that can be using the name? How do I figure out where the conflict is occurring?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on May 6, 2012 9:43 AM

Reply
77 replies

May 6, 2012 11:00 AM in response to Soren Pearson

Hi Soren, the procedure outlined in the link is what I have been doing. I am able to change the name to something else, which also changes the .local name, but whenever I try to change it back to my desired computer name, it changes the .local name properly, but gives me the message that the name exists and appends (2) to the computer name field. The .local name is still set properly, without "-2" appended.


Sorry if that sounds confusing.

May 6, 2012 12:39 PM in response to Alberto Ravasio

Thanks for the suggestion, Alberto. I turned all networking off and was able to make the change successfully. However, once I turned networking back on again, the same message popped up:

The name of your computer “XXXXX” is already in use on this network. The name has been changed to “XXXXX (2)


In the Sharing Preference Pane, I verified that it appears to still be using the correct .local name:

Computers on your local network can access your computer at: XXXXX.local


But the Computer Name in the field above the message switched to XXXXX (2) again.

Computer name keeps getting (2) appended to it.

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