Hosts file question

[Bob Havens]

I am using Windows XP Home.

I D/L the HOSTS zip from MSMVP.org, unzipped it and dragged the HOSTS (in
upper case) file into

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc.

Before I did so, I noted that there already was a hosts file in the etc.
folder except that it was in lower case i.e.. (hosts). I renamed the
original hosts file "hosts-old" (w/o quotes & in lower case). I opened the
original hosts file in Notepad and noted that it is a Microsoft sample file
and contains no web sites to block.

My question is:

Did I follow the proper procedure?

Was there a need to rename the original hosts file (in lower case)?

Should I simply delete the original hosts file(in lower case) and keep the
new HOSTS file (in upper case)?

I do note that in SpyBot Search & Destroy (Tools-Hosts file) all of the
many entries from the new HOSTS (upper case) file are listed so I quess the
thing must be working.

Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

Bob Havens

 

[David Candy]

Windows is case insensitive for filenames..

 

[mikey]

might find you are better off downloading hosts file from one of the originating places.
try this one.
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/



(e-mail address removed)




I am using Windows XP Home.

I D/L the HOSTS zip from MSMVP.org, unzipped it and dragged the HOSTS (in
upper case) file into

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc.

Before I did so, I noted that there already was a hosts file in the etc.
folder except that it was in lower case i.e.. (hosts). I renamed the
original hosts file "hosts-old" (w/o quotes & in lower case). I opened the
original hosts file in Notepad and noted that it is a Microsoft sample file
and contains no web sites to block.

My question is:

Did I follow the proper procedure?

Was there a need to rename the original hosts file (in lower case)?

Should I simply delete the original hosts file(in lower case) and keep the
new HOSTS file (in upper case)?

I do note that in SpyBot Search & Destroy (Tools-Hosts file) all of the
many entries from the new HOSTS (upper case) file are listed so I quess the
thing must be working.

Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.

Bob Havens

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Nothing wrong with the HOSTS file from here >>

Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

It was created by an MVP and is updated periodically.

The original HOSTS file that came with your XP install should've been upper
case HOSTS.

This is the contents of the original HOSTS file from the XP CD...

============
# 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
============

Delete your lower case hosts file and use the mvps.org file. You need to
check for newer version occasionally.

When you get a newer version, just move the old one out of
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\etc, drag the new one in and then delete the old
one.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bob Havens]

Thanks Wesley.

My original hosts file that I renamed was in lower case on my computer. I
don't know why. My son in law built the PC for me and he may have changed
it. Does it really make any difference? The contents are exactly the same
as in the sample that you gave me. I will back up the original hosts file
on a floppy just in case I need it.

I opened Services Editor and set the DNS Client to manual.

I also created a Hosts Editor short cut and it seems to work. I got quite a
bit of detailed info on http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/index.html. The hosts
zip file on that web site seems to be much older than the one on the
MSMVP.org web site which was just updated a few weeks ago.

I think I am fairly well set up now to start using it. Thanks for your
help.

Bob Havens

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Bob,

There is a copy of the original HOSTS file on your XP CD, if you have the
CD.

All you need to open the HOSTS file is Notepad, unless you want to make
changes on the fly. I, personally, see no need for that.
-----

I just updated my HOSTS file from www.mvps.org. The latest is Updated:
01-23-05.

My old HOSTS file from www.mvps.org was Updated: 12-01-04.

Looks a lot newer than the one @
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html

Last updated on September 1st, 2003. That is worthless. Spyware and
crapware sites are way more dynamic than that. They are evolving all the
time.

As far as the case of your original HOSTS file, who knows. You shouldn't
really need it again anyway.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bob Havens]

I have the XP CD but I put the orig. hosts file on a floppy disk anyway. I
did use the hosts zip file from www.mvps.org . I noted that it is newer
and I will check that web site frequently for updates. I think I now have
a fairly good understanding of how the HOSTS file works and how to keep it
updated.

Thanks for your help.
Bob Havens

 

[David Candy]

I go get a new one every 6 months to a year (and have used Mike's file for many years). For the newspaper I enter the ad urls by hand, but they only change every year or so.

Right click an ad and choose properties, find the url that only identifies that ad.

Here ar my entries for www.smh.com.au (and the age) and for news ltd

127.0.0.1 ffxcam.theage.com.au
127.0.0.1 ad.sensismediasmart.com.au
127.0.0.1 ffxcam.fairfax.com.au
127.0.0.1 ffxcam.smh.com.au
127.0.0.1 adsrv.news.com.au
127.0.0.1 adserver.news.com.au

If I was to enter only theage.com.au it would block the whole site. But by including the name of the ad server (ffxcam) I only block the ads.