Edit 'Hosts'

[Malcolm Brown]

I have recently upgraded to XP SP2 and need to edit the 'hosts' and
'lmhosts' files which has never been a trouble in the past. Now I am
getting an 'in use by another' error message.

Help.

Many thanks

Malcolm

 

[RobertVA]

I have recently upgraded to XP SP2 and need to edit the 'hosts' and
'lmhosts' files which has never been a trouble in the past. Now I am
getting an 'in use by another' error message.

Help.

Many thanks

Malcolm

Have you tried in Safe Mode?

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Malcolm,

Try from Safe Mode, as Robert stated. Also, if you're using third-party
HOSTS file managers, or monitoring programs, they be be locking the HOSTS
file. Disable all the applications and try again. If you're curious, use
Process Explorer (www.sysinternals.com) and locate the process name that's
locked the HOSTS file.

Know which process has locked a file - Windows XP:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/processlock.htm

Sysinternals Freeware:
http://www.sysinternals.com/

WhoLockMe Explorer Extension v1.04 beta (NT-Win2K-XP):
http://www.dr-hoiby.com/WhoLockMe/index.php

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

 

[Malcolm Brown]

Thanks for your help. I must admit that I hadn't got to Safe Mode before I
wrote. It can be a bit tricky to catch with modern machines and I hadn't
managed it. It did work.

Thanks also for the info about the little apps - they will be helpfull in
the long term.

Malcolm

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Malcolm.

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com