HOSTS file not working

[Randy]

Running XP Pro SP2 (fully patched) connected to a Windows domain. I cannot
seem to make the HOSTS file work in any shape of fashion. Yes, it's in the
proper location, proper syntax, and proper filename. Yet, no matter what
kind of entry I make in the HOSTS file it seems to ignore it. I thought
changing to a static ip would do the trick but it made no difference. How
do I get XP to recognize the HOSTS file when connected to a domain? I can't
disable the DNS client service connected to a domain. Is that the problem?
If so, is there a work around?

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In

Running XP Pro SP2 (fully patched) connected to a Windows domain. I
cannot seem to make the HOSTS file work in any shape of fashion. Yes, it's
in the proper location, proper syntax, and proper filename.
Yet, no matter what kind of entry I make in the HOSTS file it seems
to ignore it. I thought changing to a static ip would do the trick
but it made no difference. How do I get XP to recognize the HOSTS
file when connected to a domain? I can't disable the DNS client
service connected to a domain. Is that the problem? If so, is there
a work around?

1. A static IP (v a dynamic one) has nothing to do with HOSTS files
2. If you add an entry to your hosts file, such as 127.0.0.1
blah.blah.com, and then try to ping blah.blah.com, what happens?
3. Why are you using a HOSTS file? You have a domain, and you have DNS.....

 

[Doug Sherman [MVP]]

Also, if you are running the DNS client service; then when testing the hosts
file, run ipconfig /flushdns between changes. There is no general reason
that you cannot disable the DNS client service on a workstation joined to a
domain. You must, however, run the DHCP client services even if you have a
static IP.

Doug Sherman
MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, MVP