Hosts file - recreate itself?

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I renamed my HOSTS file at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Upon reboot, am I
not suppose to see another HOSTS file at the same location? In both instances
before and after renaming, there is the HOSTS file at c:\I386 ... anyone can
advice, thanks
 
the system probably automatically creates a new one if it finds it gone.
have you checked the see what the contents of the NEW one are.



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I renamed my HOSTS file at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Upon reboot, am I
not suppose to see another HOSTS file at the same location? In both instances
before and after renaming, there is the HOSTS file at c:\I386 ... anyone can
advice, thanks
 
There is a copy of the original HOSTS file on your XP CD. In \I386\HOSTS

Since you have a c:\I386 folder, it is not unreasonable that there would be
a copy there also. I assume that your c:\I386 folder is a copy of the I386
folder from the XP CD.

As far as the C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS file getting recreated,
no. The HOSTS file is not protected by Windows File Protection.

I just dragged the HOSTS file from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc to my
desktop and rebooted. The HOSTS file was not recreated. I had to drag it
back from the Desktop.

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

------------below the line---------------

# 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

---------------above the line----------------

Open your new recreated HOSTS file and see what's in it, then. . .

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode can prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

''In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers
(mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system
services), just the minimum device drivers required to start Windows.''

Because of that some malware does not load in Safe Mode and is easier to get
rid of.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Precisely, it did not create a new one. I cannot find a new HOSTS file when I
do a search for it. So at the moment, the pc still showing the message
"Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage". I can ping any website such
as www.yahoo.com and get 4 replies and zero lost. (OS winxp prof sp2 wth all
the latest update) Thanks
 
I renamed or rather changed the file back to its own original name, HOSTS
since after a careful re-examination, there is no foreign entry in the file.
Scan the pc in Safe mode, Spybot 1.4 found nothing while NAV2007 (unable to
start it which is unusual) . In normal mode, NAV2007 found nothing. Vundofix
also founf nothing (in normal mode)
Pc still showing "page cannot display the webpage"
Any other ideas that I can try to get this pc into the net world ... thanks
 
lhs said:
I renamed my HOSTS file at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Upon reboot, am I
not suppose to see another HOSTS file at the same location? In both instances
before and after renaming, there is the HOSTS file at c:\I386 ... anyone can
advice, thanks
Click to expand...

Click Start, Run, type:

netsh winsock reset

Press Enter key

Restart the system

You can also try this software download from a working machine:

LSP-Fix
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
 
lhs said:
I renamed my HOSTS file at c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc. Upon reboot, am
I
not suppose to see another HOSTS file at the same location? In both
instances
before and after renaming, there is the HOSTS file at c:\I386 ... anyone
can
advice, thanks
Click to expand...
First question : No
Second question: Those are backup copies which are created at system
installation.
Jim
 
The HOSTS file completely missing from C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
should not cause connection problems. It's when there are goofy entries in
the HOSTS file that can cause problems.

Error message when you try to access a Web site in Internet Explorer: "Page
Cannot Be Displayed"
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326155

Error message:"Page Cannot be Displayed" when you browse the Internet
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812336

How to reset Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

How to troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity with Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314067

LSP-Fix
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
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