Windows 7 - Hosts file not redirecting website to IP address

Try clearing your cache?  

It's got to be something simple like that.

That should Absolutely point to  mywebsite.com
the way you have it written....


127.0.0.1  localhost

Selvol

To ensure the file is correct (using Windows 7 and UAC), open Notepad with Run as Administrator, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ and open Hosts . Make sure it is correct (make any changes) and click on Save.  Windows 7 need admin authority to change this file.

Try this and see if it works.

... Thinkpads_User

THen try

0.0.0.0 google.com
0.0.0.0 www.google.com

And see if you can go to google.

Thanks for your help, I have tried clearing cache, flushing dns, changing file as admin and added 0.0.0.0 google.com & 0.0.0.0 www.google.com to the file and I still get through to google. Same file works fine on another windows 7 PC, just wondering if wireless network can have anything to do with it?

Same file works fine on another windows 7 PC

Wireless should have nothing to do with it. It is just another form of TCP/IP connection.

On the problem PC, disable AntiVirus and Firewall temporarily to see if that changes anything. Integrated AV suites sometimes stop more than is reasonable.

On the problem PC, reset Internet Explorer (Tools, Internet Options, Advanced and Reset). See if that helps. Also run iexplore -extoff to run in Safe Mode. See if that works as it could be an add-on.

If the above do not help, run System File Checker (SFC /SCANNOW). Allow to complete and restart.

.... Thinkpads_User

Thanks again for your help, I have disabled antivirus and firewall, reset internet options, run System File Checker and tried have firefox as well as IE and Safari, still same issues?

Hi, I just tried disconnecting my wireless and plugged Laptop into LAN and redirects work fine, so I guess it's got something to do with my wireless connection?

its a home laptop connecting to a wirelss modem - https://www.optus.com.au/shop/Broadband/Modems-&-Tablets-Carousel/HUAWEI-E586OMB

Try your laptop in a different location (that is, different wireless router) to see if that works. Wireless modems normally do not cause this type of problem but it is good to check.

Check for viruses and malware wtih online Malwarebytes.

Otherwise, given all the things you have tried, you probably should find a convenient time to back up the computer, format the hard drive and install Windows again.

.... Thinkpads_User

@: sabecs - Check and see if your 3G uses a proxy server. Mine does not and uses my Hosts file just fine. If you are using a proxy server, then that explains it.

Please let us know. ... Thinkpads_User

Thats what i just said!

Thats what i just said!

Yes, I know. I was asking if perhaps it was not using a proxy server.

... Thinkpads_User

How do I check to see if it uses a proxy server?

Neilar may know that. My own 3G (also 4G if the area permits) uses a double NAT. That interferes with VPN (which I solve by paying an upcharge), but it does not redirect by not using my Hosts file. I cannot tell on my on device because it does not appear to be using a proxy.

.... Thinkpads_User

Not 100% guaranteed acurate but as neer as you get. Just visit   http://www.lagado.com/proxy-test

I switched over to my 3G USB key.  From the above site:
-------------------------------
Proxy Test
This request appears NOT to have come via a proxy.
The request appears to have originated from ip address xx.198.4.117
--------------------------------

The IP address is my ISP

.... Thinkapds_User

Thanks again for your help, tried link above and results below:.

Proxy Test
This request appears NOT to have come via a proxy.
The request appears to have originated from ip address x.44.166.xx

Back to an earlier post of mine, if nothing works, it may be necessary to re-install Windows at a convenient point.

... Thinkpads_User

I don't see the point of re-installing Windows as it works fine with other wireless networks or wired connections, issue is only with https://www.optus.com.au/shop/Broadband/Modems-&-Tablets-Carousel/HUAWEI-E586OMB

Also try.
http://www.whatsmyip.org/more-info-about-you/

It is 99% certainly an ISP proxy issue.  There are transparent proxies that will not show up in the tests i listed above But the symptons are exactly those.

Installing windows again would get you nowhere.

Find another computer, put in your wifi and test. You will find the result follows your wifi adapter.

I don't see the point of re-installing Windows

There is certainly no rush. That is why is used "convenient time". There may come another time when you need to re-install Windows anyway.

Otherwise, it is hard to say why your machine is not using your Hosts file. My Hosts file works even using the 3G device.

There are several Hosts files: hosts, hosts.sam, and possibly hosts.lm. Make sure you are using Hosts and make sure there is only one of them (that is, hosts with no extension).

.... Thinkpads_User

Thanks again for your help, http://www.whatsmyip.org/more-info-about-you/  did not show any poxies either.

Is there any way I can force host file use from IE, Firefox, Opera or Safari?

Here is a teqnique for testing for most transparent proxies. Give it a try.

http://tracetcp.sourceforge.net/usage_proxy.html

If its a proxy of any type you will Never be using the hosts file ever and you cant change that.

Read the following...

http://delimiter.com.au/2011/07/04/optus-filter-can-be-defeated-by-trivial-dns-change/

That tells us that Optus use web filtering. To use web filtering there has to be a proxy. As your device is on the Optus network........

Thanks again to everyone for your comments.