Instead of updating everyone's hosts file, can't I make similar entries on the DNS server? I'm running win2k server and workstations. I wanted to limit ads getting through and so I wanted to add some entries similar to: 127.0.0.1 ads.com I'm afraid if I add a wrong entry, I'll hose DNS and have to reinstall it (not again, please).

Stay out of the hosts file, you'll be better off. If you want to stop ads, get an ad blocker or popup blocker or whatever. Playing with the host file on all the pcs is not what that file was designed for.

You can, if you want, download a ready made hosts file that will do what you want (Google search) You can then copy it to a folder on your C: drive and put the following line in your logon scripts, copy C:\'folder'\hosts C:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts where 'folder' is the name of the folder where you put the host file. This will copy the new host file to each workstation when someone logs on. Good luck. ChrisE

Thanks for the replies you guys... But is there anyway to do these mod's through the DNS server? I'm not particularly concerned about ads, as much as I was interested in adding an entry that points to my mail server onsite. My boss wants to be able to type http://mail.mycompany.com on his browser in the office (don't ask why) and be able to see our web mail interface instead of typing in http://192.168.100.99. Many thanks.