Computer Renames Itself

For some reason, our Mac has taken to renaming itself, using numbers. Its name is "Loft" (cause that's the area of the house where it resides), but when we log on, it is "Loft (2)", or later, "Loft (3)", etc. Right now, it's up to Loft (8). I occasionally go into Sharing and get it back to its original name, but it insists on resuming this odd behavior. Is there any way to stop this? What causes it? Is it harmless (but annoying)? Thanks.

Hi
Its because other people (with computers) who are on the same network as you have named their computers the same. If a mac which is connected to a private network which is called 'Loft' (in your case) 'senses' another mac on the network that is called the same it will add a number so that it does not 'confuse' itself with others on the same network. Why is this important? Because if you were wishing to file share from one computer called Loft to another computer called Loft and there happened to more than one called the same then which one is which?
If you were in a room full of people all called the same name (but you did not know) and shouted out that persons name, imagine your confusion when the whole room responds to your request.
You can simply cure this by re-naming your computer after yourself. For example Joe's Mac or Joe's Computer or Joe's - whatever you like really, or you could leave it as it is, the computer makes the decision for you - clever computer! You'll be content with the knowledge that other users on the network have the same sense of imagination as you.
Hope this helps, Tony

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    All my TM backups were also renamed with the (2) and my terminal had the strange name, new-host instead of the computer name. This, in fact, is what called my attention to the situation.
    I checked the console logs and discovered that the renaming occurred at about the time I rebooted the Dell.
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    I don't have a solution, but this might help explain some of the strange computer name changes, at least those that append (2) to the original name, for those with a Windows box on their network.
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    Message was edited by: nerowolfe
    Message was edited by: nerowolfe

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    More likely, I think, is someting that just can't be changed, and I think that's why Apple isn't helping. I think the plastic in the case for the imac is cracking as the imac heats up and cools down. Expansion and contraction. I think that's all it is, and there's nothing we can do about it. It's just the way the guy is designed.
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