HOSTS file

[Luxman]

Hi everyone.

I am trying to get a hosts file working but can't seem to figure it out. I have created a hosts file with notepad. The file is now called Hosts.txt and resides in the Windows directory. The Hosts.sam file was removed from the Windows directory to eliminate any possible conflict.

My Hosts file looks something like this (the url's are fictitious);

127.0.0.1 localhost
102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com
38.25.63.10 x.acme.com

DNS problems at my intended destinations prevent me from connecting, and I have been advised to use a Hosts file to solve the connection problems.

I read at a M$ page that to enable a Hosts file you must go to NETWORK / TCP/IP / DNS CONFIGURATION / Enable DNS. I did this. I then rebooted. My Hosts file is still not working.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can explain the proper method to get this working.

[Platypus]

Hi Luxman. Remove the .txt so the file is just called "hosts", and place it according to the default location for your OS version (assuming Windows):

"Note: the below locations are for the typical default paths, edit as needed.
Windows Vista = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98/ME = C:\WINDOWS "

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

[Luxman]

Hi Luxman. Remove the .txt so the file is just called "hosts", and place it according to the default location for your OS version (assuming Windows):



The file is just named Hosts. I was just stating that the full file name was Hosts.txt to point out the Hosts file I was using was a text file.

[slgrieb]

Luxman, there are lots of factors that can prevent connections to the Net. How sure are you that you don't have some active malware infection? I'm also unsure that I understood your post correctly. Are you unable to connect to the Internet at all, or only specific sites? We really need to know your OS too. Some possible fixes are specific to your version of Windows. XP SP2 includes some tools you don't have in pre-SP2 versions.

[Luxman]

Sorry that I have omitted this; Windows98se.

Malware? Definitely not.

I have no connection problems or any problems of any kind. The only problem I currently have is trying to figure out how to get this Hosts file working. The reason for my needing to use the Hosts file is that there are a few addresses that can't be reached by name, DNS isn't working anymore for them. I have attempted to connect to them using a Hosts file that has the url plus the address.

I've read this is a very common thing to do when there is a dns issue at your intended connection, as the url will resolve to the address because this information is already in the Hosts file.

Thanks for your replies all the same.

Perhaps someone out there has experience with using Hosts files. Cheers.

[CCT]

This is a link to a good article about Host file fixes:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9020261

[Mayet]

what IP are you using for your own system on the hosts file.. external or internal...Do you have a router?

I'd say the issue could be with the localhost part.. double check that

I could possibly be very wrong but everytime I write or edit a script or set a script and get connection issue its the danged localhost part that needs fixing

[NooNoo]

Given your example I assume you are looking at this page (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/ietopten.mspx)

What happens when you try to get to a web page? You have been told that DNS is not working - who told you? Did you try the LSPfix?

What happens if you ping 127.0.0.1 ?
What about pinging www.yahoo.com? Does it report the IP before doing the ping?

[slgrieb]

Malware. Definitely not? You should be prepared to support that statement Luxman. How do you know? You ran...?

Problems connecting to specific web sites are classic indications of malware activity. Exactly what sites are we talking about anyway? The only entry you normally need in a Hosts file is the "127.0.0.1 localhost" Additional entries usually block websites. You also need to check your Internet Options to be sure none of the sites you want to connect to aren't on your blocked sites list.

Really, I just don't think problems with your hosts file are related to the problems you have with some sites.