Where is host file located in XP?

Recently I've a problem with some of the websites.
When I click on a link inside the site, instead of a new page, my (server)
homepage attempts to load, and Zone Alarm asks to allow connection via host
address. Then I get error bad gateway, no matter if I allow the host address
or not.

I searched, but could not find the host file.

Rich

 

richmac said:

Try here C:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc

 

Install and use:

Spybot Search & Destroy
http://spybot.eon.net.au/
http://www.safer-networking.org/

Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Spyware Blaster
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

HijackThis
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

 

Actually, got them, been there.
Spybot reports clean system.
Adaware no new objects.
Spyware Blaster can't update last 2 days. Don't know if it's related to
current problem. All other sites update fine. Donate button works, though.
Haven't thought of hijack this yet, will try.
Then there's also The Cleaner...could I have allowed something during
windows critical updates couple of days ago?
Rich

 

Run HijackThis. Fix anything you can recognise as unwanted.
If you continue to have problems, post the *complete* contents
of the HJT log file here.

<snip>

 

I wonder why repeated attempts in "search" only gave me lmhost and not host
file?
Anyway I took a look and there's only one entry, local host.

Rich

 

Maek sure you're viewing hidden and system files.
Tools>Folder Options>View

 

Remove ZA fully and see if that cures it?
If it does try,"Outpost",
http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/
Free and better IMHO.

 

I don't know why Google lists links like this at the top of their list that never answers the question that you searched.

Actually XP doesn't have a folder called winnt .

You will find the file hosts at the following location in XP:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\

It does NOT have a file extension.