DNS resolving mess due 2 changes on HOSTS file

[federico_ar]

i was trying to add a host name (just to try it out) on the "hosts" file, first i tried to set it on the c:\windows\hosts file and then on the c:\windows\i386\hosts file. from that moment on (and after several changes on them and several restartings of my computer) thigs went out of control... localhost is not being resolved if i don't type "http://" and, when i do it, local adresses are resolved in a remote DNS!!!!
there's still more!!! i can't connect to my ADSL ISP anylonger from the XP User i made those changes... i actually had to switch to another user, connect to my ISP and then switch back to my user. this really exceeds me...
any idea of who to make this go back?

my advice is NEVER EVER TOUCH HOSTS FILE IF U DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO WITH IT!!

[Doug G]

\windows\i386\hosts is not used

In W9x/Me the active hosts file is \windows\hosts
In NT\2K\XP it's \windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

The default hosts file has a bunch of comments and one entry

127.0.0.1 localhost

If you edit hosts in windows anyway the hosts file is scanned before any dns lookups are done, so you can override a dns lookup with a local value.

[Mordecai]

Originally posted by Doug G
In W9x/Me the active hosts file is \windows\hosts
In NT\2K\XP it's \windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
This is correct. The files you edited should have had no change on your system at all. Additionally, any changes to your HOSTS file will be present on all users. My guess is something altogether different, although strangely coincidental, happened.

Your i386 folder is for updating Windows or repairing it and has no immediate effects when altered.