large HOSTS file

Yesterday I let Aladdin Internet Cleanup software add some advert etc websites to my HOSTS file. After that I had lots of slowdown problems. Problem was Win2000 Professional SERVICES.EXE consumed all available PCU cycles making even an Ctrl-Alt-Del takes ages to respond.

Once I eventually remembered what it was I had last done and removed those extra entries all went back to the normal response time.

My key question is this - what's the practical max size for a HOSTS file? Mine had 718 lines before - Aladdin added heaps to take it to 8,452 (yes, eight thousand ..) lines. Now it has 718 once more.

A second question is - I have an LMHOSTS file as well. Which one should I add the entries into, or does it not matter?

Thanks for the help.

 

I do remember reading about an issue concerning W2K and large Hosts files. A possible solution here.

 

Hosts vs. Lmhosts

The Lmhosts file is generally for networking purposes. DO NOT change anything in it unless you know exactly what you're doing. As far as the Hosts file is concerned, it works kind of like a DNS server. It takes a DNS name such as www.msn.com and point it to the appropriate IP address (in this case 207.68.171.244). What you're using it for is to block advertisements, which all of the entries are pointing to IP address 127.0.0.1, or something close to that.

This is what users used to do before ad blcokers came along, and it does use a LOT of resources, so the more entries you have the longer tasks take. My advice would be to remove all of the entries from the Hosts file and find yourself an ad blocker. I have IHATEPOPUPS and it works great. It gets about 95% of the pop ups. Also have ZoneAlarm Pro and it has ad blocking too.

The two pieces of software I mentioned above have trial periods, then you have to purchase a license. But you can search the web and find free ones out there.

Good Luck.

 

Hi

Good work Mark

Ludwig

Lots of hits for "Aladdin Internet Cleanup "
doing a google groups search that might interest you.
Google it groups search

Lonny

 

And while we are mentioning Google - the pop up blocker that is part of their new (and free) tool bar is excellent.

 

Thanks for all the feedback

I'll check out Aladdin a little more. Not sure why they're adding to the HOSTS file if the product blocks things anyway.