How to force XP read from HOSTS file?

[NaelAmer]

Hello guys,

question: anyone knows how to force Windows XP to read the DNS from the loacal HOSTS file? I edited but still not reading from it i guess, though my DNS addresses kept empty in TCP/IP configurations while my IP is static..

[oioldman]

did you update HOSTS or Hosts.SAM as they are very different files?

so having edited it correctly, what makes you think it doesn't work?

if you put in a dummy line like

127.0.0.1 www.cisco.com

does it still get there or not? if not i'd say it works.

i also thought that xp checked the hosts file first and then dns internal then external

[NaelAmer]

its just because it works with me with the other PC why i think its from the dns(hosts), the file which i edited is the hosts file in etc dont think its .SAM

my problem is i can access the PC i wanted with the IP by \\198.192.24.56 but i cant get into it by the name

so i went to the HOSTS and i added >> 198.192.24.56 MY2NDCOMP << with a space between and no arrows, but still not accessing with the name.. any suggestions?

Edited September 7, 2006 by NaelAmer

[allen2]

You should try to put an entry in the lmhosts instead of the hosts file.

[NaelAmer]

maybe thats a good idea, i will give it a try on sunday and will let u know

[tomcatuk]

You'll need to stop the DNS Service from running (if you are on SP2) as it will stop Windows from bothering checking the HOSTS file.

Start>Settings>Control Panel>Adminstrative Tools>Services

Right click DNS Service, choose stop. Then right click it agin, choose properties and change from auto to manual. Voila!