What!? You have windows not a Macintosh, reboot your system. That is
probably why you are having trouble with that file.





"Powerlock" <Powerlock@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:136A2705-9A73-4092-A7FF-653D46EA8495@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the idea, I'll check it.
>
> Unless there is a way to get to safe mode without rebooting I would rather
> just download the new file and drag and drop on the ETC folder.
>
> "Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE" wrote:
>
>> "Powerlock" <Powerlock@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:3DDD3C12-863E-4A62-892B-D30100A624FB@microsoft.com
>> > I am unable to rename the HOSTS file on my laptop running XP. It says
>> > that there is another program using it but there are no other
>> > programs open. My other two desktops are able to rename the
>> > file.Since our last conversation I have tried safe mode and was able
>> > to rename the hosts file in the ETC directory. This would obviously
>> > be a pain to have to go to safe mode to replace the HOSTS file and
>> > I'm needing to correct the problem another way. It seems there is a
>> > driver that is using the file. I have tried stopping Zonealarm and
>> > AVG. I have also tried stopping processes in my name one at a time to
>> > see if I could find the culprit. I have not tried to stop all system
>> > prosesses as I don't know which ones are critical. Any ideas?
>>
>> Some anti-spyware programs protect HOSTS.
>> Otherwise, why is it such a pain to use Safe Mode?
>>
>> --
>> Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE
>> Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
>> http://www.fjsmjs.com
>> Protect your PC
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>>
>>
>>
>>