How to remove the IP address / driver for an NIC that is not on my board

I have an issue:

I had used a DLink NIC before on which I put an IP addres 'xyx. The DLink was somehow malfunctioning, then I removed it and put another one; this time a Via Rhine Fast Ethernet Adapter....Now anytime I try to use the IP address 'xyz' on this new NIC, I get the prompt

"The IP address ....... you have entered for this network adapter is already assigned to another adapter ... hidden from the Netwrok connections folder because it is not physically in the computer.....if the same address is assigned to both adapters and they both become active, only one of them will use this addres....."

The prompt continues that: do you want to use the same IP address.....etc

Is it possible to remove the Ip address 'xyz' from the former adapter so I don't get the above prompt msg anymore? even though its not physically on my motherboard? or how do I uninstall the driver of the former NIC.

thanks
Tk