Host file reverts to previous version after Machine shutdown

  • Thread starter Thread starter bill
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bill

Any idea why a host file would revert back to a previous
version after shutdown and the restarting. If you change
the Hosts file and save it, it appears to save. While you
are logged on to the machine it appears to stay the same.
Shut off the box and then restart it and the prior version
of the hosts file is back


thanks
 
bill said:
Any idea why a host file would revert back to a previous
version after shutdown and the restarting. If you change
the Hosts file and save it, it appears to save. While you
are logged on to the machine it appears to stay the same.
Shut off the box and then restart it and the prior version
of the hosts file is back


thanks
Click to expand...

you may find that it is saving as hosts.txt where it should just be hosts

you will have to go and turn off the hide file extensions option in Explorer to see
 
-----Original Message-----
Any idea why a host file would revert back to a previous
version after shutdown and the restarting. If you change
the Hosts file and save it, it appears to save. While you
are logged on to the machine it appears to stay the same.
Shut off the box and then restart it and the prior version
of the hosts file is back


thanks

.
No scripts running and the file is not being saved with
Click to expand...
an extension. If you store the file in any other location
but the system32 folder it is ok. Example. If i create a
copy in the root of C: it stays but if I copy that version
to the system32 folder it verts back to the old version at
startup
 
bill said:
an extension. If you store the file in any other location
but the system32 folder it is ok. Example. If i create a
copy in the root of C: it stays but if I copy that version
to the system32 folder it verts back to the old version at
startup
Click to expand...

That's because the only where the hosts file is looked for is in that
path (and it is supposed to NOT have an extension; it's full filename is
"hosts"). Putting it elsewhere will result in it not getting touched
but also in it not being used. Something you have loading on startup is
overwriting this file at that location (because that's the only place
where it is important). That's why I mentioned startup scripts (not
startup programs but scripts that are assigned your username to run when
you login). You might also use Mike Lin's Startup applet to see what
you have loading on Windows startup, and disable those that you can. Or
you could boot into Safe mode to see if that helps (but I don't remember
that startup scripts don't run in Safe mode startup). Maybe you
installing some anti-spyware, anti-popup, or other utility that prevent
"hijacking" of your system which includes not allowing the hosts file to
be changed, but it might not get loaded in Safe mode or you might
discover which app is doing it by disabling startup programs using Mike
Lin's Startup applet and then reenabling them one by one.
 
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