Unexpected error in fixing problems

[jmpco]

Hi all,

I am getting this error when i click on fix problems.

Unexpected error in fixing problems (cannot create file "C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts".access denide

I have a PC, running windows XP Home edition.

I have downloaded and run Spybot because I have a Browser Hijack problem

Thanks in advance for any help

Jon

[spybotsandra]

Hello Jon,

Please delete your old host file.
Where the hosts file is located depends on your Windows version.
Windows 2000/XP/NT: C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
Windows 95/98: C:\windows\hosts

Then download a new host file from this site (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt).

This is how to do it:
Create a new txt file with notepad on your desktop.
Name it hosts. Then right click and choose rename.
Now remove the .txt so that you have a file without any extensions, just named hosts.
Then go to this site (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt).
Mark the whole text. Then copy the whole text.
Open your new hosts file and insert the copied text here.
Save the file.
Now move the file by copy and paste to:
C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

[jmpco]

Hello Jon,

Please delete your old host file.
Where the hosts file is located depends on your Windows version.
Windows 2000/XP/NT: C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc
Windows 95/98: C:\windows\hosts

Then download a new host file from this site (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt).

This is how to do it:
Create a new txt file with notepad on your desktop.
Name it hosts. Then right click and choose rename.
Now remove the .txt so that you have a file without any extensions, just named hosts.
Then go to this site (http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt).
Mark the whole text. Then copy the whole text.
Open your new hosts file and insert the copied text here.
Save the file.
Now move the file by copy and paste to:
C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

Thanks Sandra,

I will do this now, and let you know how i get on

Thanks for replying so quickly :thanks:

[jmpco]

Thanks Sandra,

I will do this now, and let you know how i get on

Thanks for replying so quickly :thanks:


I have tried this, but my system won't allow me to paste the new file into this folder.

Its says "a file by that name already exists" ? (this is after deleting the original file of course)

I tried going through this process again, and tried renaming the new hosts file so i could at least copy it into the folder, then deleting again the old one, and then renaming the new one to its proper name - no success?

Although i should say that there was no old file named "hosts", just one called "lmhosts.sam" ?

Furthermore, I have also tried creating a new folder under drivers, copying all the other files into that, plus my new "hosts" file, and then I have tied to delete the entire old "etc" folder. I am unable to do this as it says "can't delete file names "hosts", even though there is not a file by that name visablly present?

Any ideas, or have i done something wrong?

Jon

[spybotsandra]

Hello Jon,

Probably you have also backups of the host file there and perhaps a hidden one.
To enable the viewing of Hidden files follow these steps:
1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
2. Double-click on the My Computer icon.
3. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
4. After the new window appears select the View tab.
5. Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Display the contents of system folders.
6. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
8. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
9. Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
10. Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.

Or have a look at this page (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/hiddenfiles.mspx) to see how to show hidden files and folders.

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

[jmpco]

Hello Jon,

Probably you have also backups of the host file there and perhaps a hidden one.
To enable the viewing of Hidden files follow these steps:
1. Close all programs so that you are at your desktop.
2. Double-click on the My Computer icon.
3. Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
4. After the new window appears select the View tab.
5. Put a checkmark in the checkbox labeled Display the contents of system folders.
6. Under the Hidden files and folders section select the radio button labeled Show hidden files and folders.
7. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide file extensions for known file types.
8. Remove the checkmark from the checkbox labeled Hide protected operating system files.
9. Press the Apply button and then the OK button and shutdown My Computer.
10. Now your computer is configured to show all hidden files.

Or have a look at this page (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/hiddenfiles.mspx) to see how to show hidden files and folders.

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

Thanks Sandra,

Very comprehensive advice, I'll try now,

Jon

[jmpco]

Thanks Sandra,

Very comprehensive advice, I'll try now,

Jon

OK, Thanks to your advice i can now see all files, both the old hosts file and the hosts backup files.

However, while i can remove the backup files, I am still unable to remove or replace the old hosts file. It is also greyed out? So does not appear like all the other files. It also has not file extention, while the others do/did?

I can however, rename the old hosts file? would this be a solution? If i do so i have found that I can now at least get the new hosts file into this folder? Would that be ok like this?

Jon

[spybotsandra]

Hello Jon,

I would suggest to delete it in safe mode (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm).

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

[jmpco]

Hello Jon,

I would suggest to delete it in safe mode (http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm).

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot

OK, May I ask how, sorry to be a pain;)

Jon

[jmpco]

OK, May I ask how, sorry to be a pain;)

Jon

Oops, sorry, I can see the link explaining how! :lip:

Jon

[jmpco]

Oops, sorry, I can see the link explaining how! :lip:

Jon

Sandra

Update.

In safe mode i was still unable to delete the old file.

However, while there I was able to simply move the "etc" folder into another folder, and then delete it from there.

I had previously copied all the other files in the "etc" folder into another folder, which i then renamed to "etc" and then placed in to the diver folder.

Having turned my pc back on in normal mode all seams to be working fine, and my browser also seams to work fine also.

I am currently running the Scan again using SpyBot Search & Destroy, and I'll let you (and others know) how I get on when I go to "fix problems".

Thanks again for your help , I would not have had a clue where to start.:thanks:

All the best

Jon:)

[jmpco]

Sandra

Update.

In safe mode i was still unable to delete the old file.

However, while there I was able to simply move the "etc" folder into another folder, and then delete it from there.

I had previously copied all the other files in the "etc" folder into another folder, which i then renamed to "etc" and then placed in to the diver folder.

Having turned my pc back on in normal mode all seams to be working fine, and my browser also seams to work fine also.

I am currently running the Scan again using SpyBot Search & Destroy, and I'll let you (and others know) how I get on when I go to "fix problems".

Thanks again for your help , I would not have had a clue where to start.:thanks:

All the best

Jon:)

To Sandra and the Team.
Many, Many thanks:thanks:

To Sandra,

Thanks for...

your virtually instant reply to my enquiry
your comprehensive advice and instructions
your patience


I have now run Spybot Search & Destroy, it located numerous malicious files, as advertised, and my PC, including my web browser (hijacked) is now running like new.

Wonderful!:)

I shall be making a donation based on the typical price asked for 'in advance of results' by many other solutions.

I hope this thread serves to help others with similar problems, I will certainly direct other users i know to Spybot as a solution, to this forum, and this thread.

All the best

Jon

[tashi]

Hi jmpco,


I have now run Spybot Search & Destroy, it located numerous malicious files, as advertised, and my PC, including my web browser (hijacked) is now running like new.

Wonderful!:)


Glad to hear it. :2thumb:

To Sandra and the Team.
...
I shall be making a donation based on the typical price asked for 'in advance of results' by many other solutions.

I hope this thread serves to help others with similar problems, I will certainly direct other users i know to Spybot as a solution, to this forum, and this thread.
:thanks:

All the best to you too. :)