host file interfering with name resolution

hey,
When using programs like Msn Messenger, it wont let me sign in. When
i click on troubleshoot, it says that ' my host file contains MSN related
entries which may interfere with name resolution, would you like windows to
clean up your hosts file?' When i click on yes to clean it up, all it says
'MSN made several failed attempts to sign in.' Could anyone please help me
out with this, id really appreciate it. thanks!!

In news:71A28231-C2C4-4C80-846D-18A021B06151@microsoft.com,
Scott! <Scott!@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> hey,
> When using programs like Msn Messenger, it wont let me sign in.
> When i click on troubleshoot, it says that ' my host file contains
> MSN related entries which may interfere with name resolution, would
> you like windows to clean up your hosts file?' When i click on yes to
> clean it up, all it says 'MSN made several failed attempts to sign
> in.' Could anyone please help me out with this, id really appreciate
> it. thanks!!

Your hosts file should be pretty sparse, in a default config - just
127.0.0.1 ---> localhost.

Using notepad, open %systemroot%\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (no
extension) and see what it contains.

"Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:

>
>
> In news:71A28231-C2C4-4C80-846D-18A021B06151@microsoft.com,
> Scott! <Scott!@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> > hey,
> > When using programs like Msn Messenger, it wont let me sign in.
> > When i click on troubleshoot, it says that ' my host file contains
> > MSN related entries which may interfere with name resolution, would
> > you like windows to clean up your hosts file?' When i click on yes to
> > clean it up, all it says 'MSN made several failed attempts to sign
> > in.' Could anyone please help me out with this, id really appreciate
> > it. thanks!!
>
> Your hosts file should be pretty sparse, in a default config - just
> 127.0.0.1 ---> localhost.
>
> Using notepad, open %systemroot%\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (no
> extension) and see what it contains.
>
>
> hey, i opened that file with notepad, and your right all it says is
127.0.0.1 ---- localhost. Is there anything else i can do to fix this or is
it officially time to shot put my computer out the window and get a new one?

In news:7FE0BECF-531E-495D-B78A-F1DAB711163A@microsoft.com,
Scott! <Scott@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
> "Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> In news:71A28231-C2C4-4C80-846D-18A021B06151@microsoft.com,
>> Scott! <Scott!@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:
>>> hey,
>>> When using programs like Msn Messenger, it wont let me sign
>>> in. When i click on troubleshoot, it says that ' my host file
>>> contains MSN related entries which may interfere with name
>>> resolution, would you like windows to clean up your hosts file?'
>>> When i click on yes to clean it up, all it says 'MSN made several
>>> failed attempts to sign in.' Could anyone please help me out with
>>> this, id really appreciate it. thanks!!
>>
>> Your hosts file should be pretty sparse, in a default config - just
>> 127.0.0.1 ---> localhost.
>>
>> Using notepad, open %systemroot%\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
>> (no extension) and see what it contains.
>>
>>
>> hey, i opened that file with notepad, and your right all it says is
> 127.0.0.1 ---- localhost. Is there anything else i can do to fix
> this or is it officially time to shot put my computer out the window
> and get a new one?

Doubtful. Perhaps there are other reasons you're getting this message - post
full details about your system, SP level (you are on SP2, right?) and
whether you're up to date on all patches. Also mention what else you have
installed, where else you see errors, etc. - I'm sure someone can help.