Need to Change Hosts File

Running Windows XP SP3. Computer recently got infected. Found trace of virus
in the HOSTS file. It will not let me make changes to the HOSTS file or
delete it. I compared Hosts file characteristics with another computer that
is not infected. On the clean computer it is classified as a File compared to
a System File on the infected plus the attribute is set for Read-Only on the
infected. I manually changed it to read-write but still cannot make changes
or delete it.

Thanks.

Manny

Make sure the system is completely clean.

Try to do the same in Safe mode.

You can also try 'Unlocker':-

http://majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4660

regards,

S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]



"Manny" <> wrote in message
news:62C3477F-2DC6-4B88-8ED1-...
> Running Windows XP SP3. Computer recently got infected. Found trace of
> virus
> in the HOSTS file. It will not let me make changes to the HOSTS file or
> delete it. I compared Hosts file characteristics with another computer
> that
> is not infected. On the clean computer it is classified as a File compared
> to
> a System File on the infected plus the attribute is set for Read-Only on
> the
> infected. I manually changed it to read-write but still cannot make
> changes
> or delete it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Manny
>
> __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus
> signature database 4749 (20100106) __________
>
> The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.
>
> http://www.eset.com
>
>
>

__________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4749 (20100106) __________

The message was checked by ESET Smart Security.

http://www.eset.com

I had the same issue & just found the fix. Click on the HOSTS file & hit F2
to rename it. I gave mine a .bad extension (HOSTS.bad) and just left it
there. Then copy/pasted the good part of the HOSTS file & saved it as a new
file. Make sure the new file does not have an extension...

"Manny" wrote:

> Running Windows XP SP3. Computer recently got infected. Found trace of virus
> in the HOSTS file. It will not let me make changes to the HOSTS file or
> delete it. I compared Hosts file characteristics with another computer that
> is not infected. On the clean computer it is classified as a File compared to
> a System File on the infected plus the attribute is set for Read-Only on the
> infected. I manually changed it to read-write but still cannot make changes
> or delete it.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Manny