Question : IP Address Contention

It appears a laptop user has configured their XP computer to use the same static IP address assigned to one of our servers.  (Ping -a 192.168.0.224 shows laptopXP18 as host, not ACSrv1).

DHCP Server mmc shows 192.168.0.224 is within a range of addresses "EXCLUDED FROM DISTRIBUTION" , FYI.

Also DNS reverse lookup zone shows pointer record for 192.168.0.224 same way (DATA field is laptopxp18, not ACSrv1).

Is the only way to resolve this to manually change the net settings on the laptop the next time the user visits the home office?  Or is there a way to remove the ownership of the IP address via Sys Admin tools?
Please & Thanks in advance for any expert advice here.

Answer : IP Address Contention

if the user configured a static IP address, then the only way would be to change the configuration on the user's laptop as the IP is not being served by the DHCP server at that point.  

It's possible to change the user's IP configuration remotely if the user ever connects the laptop to the internet through such remote control products as UltraVNC's Single Click or teamviewer.  Or, if you have the user's contact info, call them and have them change it back to DHCP (if they changed it to static, they may be savvy enough to change it back to DHCP).   This would prevent the potential for the server to be potentially bounced off the network when the user returns to the office.