Open regedit and browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\Parameters
Examine "DataBasePath" key in this node carefully.
If the path is set to %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc and the key type is anything but REG_EXPAND_SZ, that is is your problem.
If the type is REG_SZ, edit the DatabasePath and hardcode th entire path (remove the env variable) e.g. c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
or
delete
the existing registry key and create a new key by the same name
(DataBasePath) of type REG_EXPAND_SZ and set the value to
%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc
Files in etc dir should now be enabled.
Why did this happen to you? Most likely you installed MSN Messenger 7.0/7.5 which changed the type of this key.
Why did it do that, why didn't it inform you of what it has done? Ask Bill gates?
Is it documented anywere? Not to the best of my knowledge.
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by [email]pmak@aaanime.net[/email] [/i] [B]I am experiencing the same problem; Windows seems to be ignoring my hosts file.
