Check out some similar questions!

harbourwoods · Feb 21, 2005, 05:16 PM

I have tried to block a web page by going to Start Run & then
Notepad c:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\Hosts

Then I hit enter then typed 127.0.0.1 entered the web page as hi5.com

But it won't let me save. Any advice. :rolleyes:

psi42 · Feb 21, 2005, 05:56 PM

Post the exact error message.

harbourwoods · Feb 21, 2005, 07:09 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...s/hostfile.bmp

The message I receive is: Cannot create the C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\Hosts file,
Make sure the path and filename are correct.

ScottGem · Feb 22, 2005, 06:35 AM

That message indicates you don't have that path on your system. What version of Windows?

fredg · Feb 22, 2005, 07:46 AM

Hi,
Have you tried the following method?

At any site, at the top, click on Tools, then Internet Options.
Click on the Security tab, then left click on Restricted Sites, to highlight it.

Click on the Sites button.
Then, in the space provided, paste the name of the site, and click on the Add button, then OK.
Best wishes,
fredg

harbourwoods · Feb 22, 2005, 08:30 AM

To answer the question no it doesn't work through Tools Internet Options etc. I tried.

I am using XP Home. I finally was able to block by going to Start Run Notepad c:windows\system32\Drivers\Etc\Hosts

But the KEY was I went to the Windows System 32 Drivers & unclicked Read only. The went back to the above
Typed in: 127.0.0.1 (the web page) Click file, Exit and Yes

ScottGem · Feb 22, 2005, 08:34 AM

The Restricted Sites option will not block the sites. It just blocks potentially harmful (to the computer) features of the site.

If anyone is unaware why this works, here's an explanation:
The Hosts file functions as a mini DNS. So when you make a call for a URL, it looks first in your Hosts file. If it finds it, it then resolves the URL to the IP listed. By using the 127.0.0.1 IP which is a loopback, you force the URL to go nowhere basically blocking the site. The same technique can be used to speed up access to sites one frequents by listing their actual IP. They will load more quick because your browser doesn't have to search on the NET for the conversion from URL to IP.

harbourwoods · Feb 22, 2005, 08:43 AM

Scott you just mentioned about loading web pages faster. There are a few web we go through everyday, so now we need the directions on how to do so our pages load faster.

ScottGem · Feb 22, 2005, 11:42 AM

Harbourwoods,

What you need to do is find out the IP address of the site. You can do this in a couple of ways. One way would be to ping the domain. For example I ping askmehelpdesk.com and get back 66.116.100.120. You would then add that to your hosts file just the way you did with the block, just using the right IP.