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[renluop]

Does the Hosts file only reside in ...\system32\drivers\etc, or should there be a version in ...\sysWOW\drivers\etc?

Apart from actual Hosts (or MVPS Hosts) what other Hosts related files should there be in the given locations?

I ask because I may have done something silly. (Dont ask ).

[tuftedduck]

Your host file should be in, and only in, ..\system32\drivers\etc and there should be no other associated files.

[BritBrat]

It should be in: "C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc" on XP.

Same sort of position in Windows7.

I manage mine using two programes:
Hosts Switch and Hosts Manager from: bluetack.co.uk

Basic host file:

Code: [Select]

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost


And if it gets to large:

NOTE: It is important to note that there have been complaints of system slowdowns when using a large hosts file. This is usually fixed by turning off and disabling the DNS Client in your Services control panel under Administrative Tools. The DNS client caches previous DNS requests in memory to supposedly speed this process up, but it also reads the entire HOSTS file into that cache as well which can cause a slowdown. This service is unnecessary and can be disabled.

[exo]

Windows 7 will not let you save the hosts file unless you do it via the command prompt or run as administrator.
Perhaps you attempted to save and actually created a  copy and stored it other than the correct location, which is in ...\system32\drivers\etc
Can you clarify what method you used.

If you wish to revert back to the default file, try this.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034

exo

[renluop]

...should be in, and only in, ..\system32\drivers\etc and there should be no other associated files.

So ony the first of

Hosts    (mvps file 1/1/11)
Hosts. descr.backup
Hosts.mvp
Imhosts.sam should remain?

[renluop]

....
Can you clarify what method you used....

TBH no!: had another big problem that took time to sort out. That increasing white hair and diminishing grey cells has blocked it out

[exo]

My 'etc' folder contains the following files.

hosts
Imhost.sam
networks
protocol
services

I assume you used the MVPS download to modify your hosts file.
The batch file will rename the original hosts file to hosts.mvp
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

exo

[Dakeyras]

Hi.

By default, Windows 7 has done away with the hosts file. A sample might be present but all the lines in it will be commented out. This is to help in the transition from Internet Protocol version 4  to Internet Protocol version 6. So the default settings for the localhost are now handled internally by the DNS subsystem so a hosts file is no longer needed. The only time you will find one is if it has been created manually (or possibly malware has created a corrupted/compromised one and or edited the sample etc).

So if you so wished you could use the below application to install either the HPHosts or MVPs Hosts.

Host File Reset/Replace:

Please Download HostsXpert and unzip it to your computer, somewhere where you can find it.

The root of the system drive would be a ideal location EG: C:\

• Right-click on HostsXpert.exe and select Run as Administrator to launch the programme.
  
• Check to see if top button on left hand side says Make Writable?
  
  • If it does. click on it then proceed to next instruction.
  • If not, just proceed to next instruction
• Click on Restore MS Hosts File to restore your Hosts file to its default condition
  
• When prompted to confirm, click OK.
• Click on the Download button (lower left hand side)
  
  • Click on MVPs Hosts... button.
    
  • Click on Replace button.
    
  • Press OK in the box that pops up. (HostsXpert will now download and update your Hosts file)
• When finished.
• Click on File Handling button.
  
• Click on Make Read Only? to secure it against infection.
  
• Exit the programme.