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  1. #1
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    Default Hosts File Missing!

    The long lists of hosts files is missing. I tried to remove and then add and it says "system path can't be found...." (rough paraphrase). I uninstalled Spybot and reinstalled the 1.4 version. Still no luck. I upgraded to 1.5 beta. Nade.

    Why would it suddenly disappear, never to return?

  2. #2
    Spybot Advisor Team [Retired] md usa spybot fan's Avatar
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    Default

    The location of the HOSTS file is OS dependent as follows:
    • Windows 95, 98 and ME
      C:\WINDOWS
    • Windows 2000
      C:\WINNT\system32\drivers\etc
    • Windows XP and Vista
      C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

    The backup HOSTS files created by Spybot are also stored in the same directories.

    It sound like you may be missing your C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc folder. If so:
    • Create a C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc folder.

    To restore your HOSTS file with Microsoft's sample HOSTS file:
    • Download HostsXpert from funkytoad.com and unzip (extract) it to your desktop.
    • Open HostsXpert from your desktop.
    • When you receive the following message, click the "OK" button.
      • Confirm

        HOSTS file does not exist, press OK to create HOSTS file, Cancel to Quit.

        [OK] [Cancel]
    • Close HostsXpert.
    Last edited by md usa spybot fan; 2007-05-22 at 10:21.

    Getting an answer is one thing, learning is another.


    Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition running on a 2.40GHz IntelŪ PentiumŪ 4 Processor with 512 MB of RAM and a 533 MHz System Bus.

  3. #3
    Member of Team Spybot PepiMK's Avatar
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    Default

    The path to the hosts file might also be stored in the registry:
    HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\DataBasePath=...
    Just remember, love is life, and hate is living death.
    Treat your life for what it's worth, and live for every breath
    (Black Sabbath: A National Acrobat)

  4. #4
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    Default God bless you, it worked!

    THanks a million. I suspect that one or two trojans might have got by because my hosts were gone. Could that be?

  5. #5
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    Default Spybot detects HOSTs as Hijack?

    Is this a false positive?

    Windows.RedirectedHosts
    Threat: Hijack

    Description
    Hijackers often use the hosts file to redirect websites to other ipadresses, commonly antivirus vendors get blocked by hijackers

    It reads:

    Redirected host
    www.net-integration.net=127.0.0.1

    I used Spybot to "Fix the Selected Problem"

    Then I removed the Spybot hosts list and added it again -- it is there.
    Last edited by jonathanbean; 2007-05-22 at 18:48. Reason: Add'l info

  6. #6
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    Default Darn

    I ran Spybot again and the same Microsoft.Windows.Redirected Hosts warning comes up. I suspect this is a false warning but . . . ?

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