HOSTS file caused "red x" image loading problem

[Jeff]

I fixed that nasty 'red x' problem that wasn't allowing me to see any
images in expedia.com. The HOSTS file located in Windows XP directory
C:/WINNT/system32/drivers/etc was the culprit. I changed the name of
the HOSTS file to something else (for example: OLDHOSTS) and tried
again, and the pictures load.

See this site: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Thanks to all those who gave suggestions to help with this problem!

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

The problem is, what happened to your computer to allow the hosts file to
get changed? Do you have good AV software?

 

[Scott M.]

This happens because the pictures (probably advertisements) come from
servers that have been re-mapped in the hosts file. This is not a
"problem". This is exactly what the hosts file is for.

Say, for example, that you are constantly getting hit with popup windows
that emanate from ads.msn.com. By adding the entry:

127.0.0.1 ads.msn.com

to the hosts file, your computer will look to machine 127.0.0.1 (this is
YOUR machine) when it needs data from ads.msn.com. Since your machine won't
have the data, you won't get the popup ad.

When visiting a web site that contains content from ads.msn.com, you will
get the page, but not the ad (this is why you were getting the red "x"'s).

Many people (myself among them) use the hosts file as a great tool in the
fight against popups.

 

[Guest]

127.0.0.1 ad.iad.mediaplex.com
127.0.0.1 ad.popupswappers.com
127.0.0.1 adclst01.valueclick.com
127.0.0.1 adclst02.valueclick.com
127.0.0.1 adcreative.tribuneinteractive.com
127.0.0.1 ads.admaximize.com
127.0.0.1 ads.bigfoot.com
127.0.0.1 ads.carltononline.com
127.0.0.1 ads.com.com
127.0.0.1 ads.i33.com
127.0.0.1 ads.mindsetnetwork.com
127.0.0.1 ads.xtra.co.nz
127.0.0.1 ads2.theglobeandmail.com
127.0.0.1 adserv1.ebates.com
127.0.0.1 adserver.a.in.monster.com
127.0.0.1 adserver.ezzhosting.com
127.0.0.1 adserver.trb.com
127.0.0.1 adserver.tribuneinteractive.com
127.0.0.1 adsrv.intermezzia.com
127.0.0.1 advert.webdifusao-server.com
127.0.0.1 ad.krutilka.ru
127.0.0.1 ad2.atlas.cz
127.0.0.1 ads.battle.net
127.0.0.1 ads.cdnow.com
127.0.0.1 ads.exhedra.com
127.0.0.1 ads.macnews.de
127.0.0.1 ads.rim.co.uk
127.0.0.1 ads.v3exchange.com
127.0.0.1 adserver.isonews.com
127.0.0.1 adserver1.ogilvy-interactive.de
127.0.0.1 adtracking.wrox.com
127.0.0.1 advert.hi-media.com
127.0.0.1 images2.nytimes.com
127.0.0.1 101order.com
127.0.0.1 123banners.com
127.0.0.1 123found.com
127.0.0.1 180solutions.com
127.0.0.1 247media.com
127.0.0.1 24pm-affiliation.com
127.0.0.1 2o7.net
127.0.0.1 911promotion.com
127.0.0.1 a.boom.ro
127.0.0.1 a.r.tv.com
127.0.0.1 a1.yimg.com
127.0.0.1 a32.g.a.yimg.com
127.0.0.1 aaddzz.com
127.0.0.1 abetterinternet.com
127.0.0.1 abs3.tv2.dk
127.0.0.1 abz.com
127.0.0.1 ad-images.suntimes.com
127.0.0.1 ad-server.gulasidorna.se
127.0.0.1 ad-space.net
127.0.0.1 ad-universe.com
127.0.0.1 ad-up.com
127.0.0.1 ad.aboutit.de
127.0.0.1 ad.aboutwebservices.com
127.0.0.1 ad.cgi.cz
127.0.0.1 ad.domainfactory.de
127.0.0.1 ad.dvdforum.nu
127.0.0.1 ad.fragzone.se
127.0.0.1 ad.free6.com
127.0.0.1 ad.grafika.cz
127.0.0.1 ad.harmony-central.com
127.0.0.1 ad.howstuffworks.com
127.0.0.1 ad.img.yahoo.co.kr
127.0.0.1 ad.interreklame.de
127.0.0.1 ad.investopedia.com
127.0.0.1 ad.ir.ru
127.0.0.1 ad.kimo.com.tw
127.0.0.1 ad.mgd.de
127.0.0.1 ad.playground.ru
127.0.0.1 ad.simgames.net
127.0.0.1 ad.surfsecret.com
127.0.0.1 ad.sweclockers.com
127.0.0.1 ad.tisnet.net.tw
127.0.0.1 ad.tomshardware.com
127.0.0.1 ad.top50.to
127.0.0.1 ad.uol.com.br
127.0.0.1 ad.vol.at
127.0.0.1 ad.way.cz
127.0.0.1 ad.webprovider.com
127.0.0.1 ad1.emediate.dk
127.0.0.1 ad1.gamezone.com
127.0.0.1 ad1.kde.cz
127.0.0.1 ad2.lupa.cz
127.0.0.1 ad2.tisnet.net.tw
127.0.0.1 ad3.tisnet.net.tw
127.0.0.1 ad4.tisnet.net.tw
127.0.0.1 ad4ex.com
127.0.0.1 adbanner.ro
127.0.0.1 adbureau.net
127.0.0.1 adbutler.com
127.0.0.1 adcenter.net
127.0.0.1 adcept.net
127.0.0.1 adclick.mint.se
127.0.0.1 adclick.ro
127.0.0.1 adclub.net
127.0.0.1 adcreatives.imaginemedia.com
127.0.0.1 adcycle.com
127.0.0.1 addme.com
127.0.0.1 addynamix.com
127.0.0.1 adflight.com
127.0.0.1 adfly.com
127.0.0.1 adgraphics.theonion.com
127.0.0.1 adimages.sanomawsoy.fi
127.0.0.1 adimg.egroups.com
127.0.0.1 adimgs.sapo.pt
127.0.0.1 adition.net
127.0.0.1 adlogix.net
127.0.0.1 adm.ad.asap-asp.net
127.0.0.1 adman.freeze.com
127.0.0.1 admanager.beweb.com
127.0.0.1 admanager.persianblog.com
127.0.0.1 admaximize.com
127.0.0.1 admedia.xoom.com
127.0.0.1 admex.com
127.0.0.1 admonitor.net
127.0.0.1 admotion.com.ar
127.0.0.1 ado.internet.cz
127.0.0.1 adorigin.com
127.0.0.1 adpepper.dk
127.0.0.1 adprojekt.pl
127.0.0.1 adpush.dreamscape.com
127.0.0.1 adrenaline.cz
127.0.0.1 adres.internet.com
127.0.0.1 adriver.ru
127.0.0.1 adrun.net
127.0.0.1 ads.aceweb.net
127.0.0.1 ads.activeagent.at
127.0.0.1 ads.advance.net
127.0.0.1 ads.adverline.com
127.0.0.1 ads.allvertical.com
127.0.0.1 ads.alwayson-network.com
127.0.0.1 ads.amdmb.com
127.0.0.1 ads.aol.com
127.0.0.1 ads.asia1.com
127.0.0.1 ads.asia1.com.sg
127.0.0.1 ads.beeb.com
127.0.0.1 ads.bianca.com
127.0.0.1 ads.channel4.com
127.0.0.1 ads.chipcenter.com
127.0.0.1 ads.clara.net
127.0.0.1 ads.clearchannel.com
127.0.0.1 ads.cmediaworld.com
127.0.0.1 ads.comediagroup.hu
127.0.0.1 ads.currantbun.com
127.0.0.1 ads.datingyes.com
127.0.0.1 ads.dbforums.com
127.0.0.1 ads.ddj.com
127.0.0.1 ads.dennisnet.co.uk
127.0.0.1 ads.developershed.com
127.0.0.1 ads.deviantart.com
127.0.0.1 ads.ecircles.com
127.0.0.1 ads.forbes.net
127.0.0.1 ads.freeze.com
127.0.0.1 ads.ft.com
127.0.0.1 ads.game.net
127.0.0.1 ads.gamecity.net
127.0.0.1 ads.gamemarshal.com
127.0.0.1 ads.gamespyid.com
127.0.0.1 ads.god.co.uk
127.0.0.1 ads.gotfrag.com
127.0.0.1 ads.humorbua.no
127.0.0.1 ads.i12.de
127.0.0.1 ads.icq.com
127.0.0.1 ads.indya.com
127.0.0.1 ads.inetinteractive.com
127.0.0.1 ads.inthemix.com.au
127.0.0.1 ads.isum.de
127.0.0.1 ads.jimworld.com
127.0.0.1 ads.jornadavirtual.com.mx
127.0.0.1 ads.jubii.dk
127.0.0.1 ads.kazaa.com
127.0.0.1 ads.list-universe.com
127.0.0.1 ads.mariuana.it
127.0.0.1 ads.megaproxy.com
127.0.0.1 ads.newcity.com
127.0.0.1 ads.newcitynet.com
127.0.0.1 ads.newdream.net
127.0.0.1 ads.newmedia.cz
127.0.0.1 ads.ngenuity.com
127.0.0.1 ads.nola.com
127.0.0.1 ads.nordichardware.se

 

[Guest]

You're right I have 1600 of them on mine to stop ad's.
The other value is to use the IP address instead of the
name on any site that has a slow DNS lookup. OR like on
my laptop with a cell phone as a modem, by cutting out
the DNS lookup I can access the site twice as fast.