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Thread: Problem With Editing Host Files "Make Sure That Path and Filename are Correct"

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  1. #1
    Junior Member Wanderer57's Avatar
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    Default Problem With Editing Host Files "Make Sure That Path and Filename are Correct"

    Hello everyone,

    As you can tell from the title, I am having a problem with editting my host files. When I try to edit my host files, I uncheck "Lock Hosts as Read Only" in the tweaks tab, use the command prompt to go to host files, edit the files, save them, and then recheck the host files. I editted my host files many times before hand, but recently I have gotten the following message when I try to save my host files.

    Cannot Create the C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
    make sure that the path and the filename are correct

    I don't know what to do, and I would greatly apperciate the help. Also, the computer I am using is a Toshiba laptop, I use Windows XP, and the version I spybot I have is 1.6.2.46. One other thing, I am not sure if this will affect spybot or not, but I recently got a big update on Cisco NAC Agent at the college I am staying at. I was not until after I got this new update, that I had trouble editting my host files (though note, the last time I successfully editted my host files was about a month ago). That is all, thanks for the help.

  2. #2
    Senior Member DougCuk's Avatar
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    Working on the Hosts file can be a pain as it is hidden in various ways to make it difficult to get to.
    To avoid all the hassle of finding and unprotecting the Hosts file I use a neat little utility called HostsToggle.
    It allows you to check, edit, or temporarily disable the Hosts file without any expert knowledge.
    It automatically locates the Hosts file and also unlocks and relocks the file each time you edit the file.

    HostsToggle adds a red button to the system tray, from which you can enable/disable, check and edit your Hosts file.
    Download from http://www.softpedia.com/get/Network...tsToggle.shtml

  3. #3
    Junior Member Wanderer57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DougCuk View Post
    Working on the Hosts file can be a pain as it is hidden in various ways to make it difficult to get to.
    To avoid all the hassle of finding and unprotecting the Hosts file I use a neat little utility called HostsToggle.
    It allows you to check, edit, or temporarily disable the Hosts file without any expert knowledge.
    It automatically locates the Hosts file and also unlocks and relocks the file each time you edit the file.

    HostsToggle adds a red button to the system tray, from which you can enable/disable, check and edit your Hosts file.
    Download from http://www.softpedia.com/get/Network...tsToggle.shtml
    I download HostsToggle (in a zip form), but when I try to run it a message appears saying...

    "You must have Write permission to C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\ folder and the hosts file."

    I tried to go on to the HostsToggle home website, but I could not find an answer to this problem.

  4. #4
    Senior Member DougCuk's Avatar
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    I don't think this is a problem with the Hosts Toggle utility.
    I think this error message is just confirming that something is "wrong" with the normal folder or file permissions for the Hosts file.

    This "Cisco NAC Agent" you mentioned may well be the cause - a quick Google search describes this software as:
    Cisco Network Admission Control (NAC) is a system to enforce the security policy of your company on all devices attempting network access.
    Sounds to me like it is designed to lock down access to critical network elements which would include the Hosts file.
    Why is this software installed and who is configuring it?

  5. #5
    Junior Member Wanderer57's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DougCuk View Post
    This "Cisco NAC Agent" you mentioned may well be the cause - a quick Google search describes this software as:


    Sounds to me like it is designed to lock down access to critical network elements which would include the Hosts file.
    Why is this software installed and who is configuring it?
    Every student and employee must have Cisco NAC Agent install on his/her personal laptop or desktop if he/she wants to access the internet from the University's network. Once it is installed, the user must put in his/her user name and password before accessing the internet. This is so that only students and employees can access the university's network. It also makes sure you have ceratin programs on your computer before continueing (such as Macfee and spybot). I do not exactly who configures it, my best guess would be it is the people down at techinical support. If a student for some reason does not have Cisco on their computer and has no access to the net, they go to the universty's tech support people to get the progam. Do you think I should contact the people at tech support at the Univeristy and ask them about it?

  6. #6
    Senior Member DougCuk's Avatar
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    I am almost certain this software is locking access to the Hosts file and probably a lot of other network/internet settings. The university tech support should be able to tell you whether they are prepared to allow you to bypass this lockout.

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