AVG Free

[ImLostAgain]

When doing a scan I always get a hosts*reading error* but everything else is clear. Any ideas what it means?

[bekka]

I think it means a Host file is missing...not over sure on AVG though.

They have a free forum here

http://forum.grisoft.cz/freeforum/index.php?0

Search for Hosts Reading Error...tick the 'all dates in the bottom drop down box or all results may not show.

[ACtheTROLL]

This is probably due to your hosts file being missing

first make sure that explorer is displaying all files
tools | folder options | view
tick the first 5 "display" options
hidden files and folders
and remove the hicks from the next two "hide" options
then navigate to
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc
in there should be 5 files
hosts
lmhosts.sam
networks
protocol
services

hosts can be used to substitute network addresses
so 192.168.1.1 can be called router
so instead of typing the ip address in everytime ... using the word "router" will take you there directly

this is useful - but some hijackers use it to trick your network by renamibg websites
so www.barclaycard.com - re-routes to
www.criminalfraudsters.com (get the idea!)
avg checks the file to make sure this isn't happening.

[ACtheTROLL]

if it's missing mine looks like this
if yours is missing
create a text file with notepad
copy the lines below
..... you could miss the last three lines

name the file

hosts

without a .txt extension



# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
192.168.254.254 router

# block
127.0.0.1 http://www.litepc.com/support.html

[ImLostAgain]

Whoa, thanks people. Im going to have to work my way through this. It'll take time but I'll get there.
Im a bit long in the tooth to take it all in all at one go but I usually get there in my own slow pace. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[bekka]

Are you using XP ...if so here's a shorter fix.

To restore your HOSTS file with Microsoft's sample HOSTS file:

1...Download HostsXpert from funkytoad.com and unzip (extract) it to your desktop.

http://www.funkytoad.com/component/option,com_ frontpage/Itemid,1/

2...Open HostsXpert from your desktop.

3...When you receive the following message, click the "OK" button to Confirm.

HOSTS file does not exist, press OK to create HOSTS file, Cancel to Quit.

[OK] [Cancel]

Close HostsXpert.

[ImLostAgain]

Wow. The knowledge of you two astounds me. How do you know all these things?
Thats it, its fixed. Just to show my ignorance can I ask, what is a host file, why a reading error and how did I lose it?
None of which is important to me Im just glad you both helped.
Many many thanks.

[ACtheTROLL]

LOL

some of us just don't have anything better to do!!!!

hosts is actually a very useful file
read my first answer again for why.

[bekka]

Lol @ ACtheTROLL...some of us multitask...i have a lappy in the kitchen and lately have been skipping through these pages in between tasks.

Reading your fixes you're quite good at these problems!!!! :))