Hello, If I try to edit a file, like C:\Windows\Hosts for instance, with Notepad it shows blank. But if I open a DOS box and use the DOS edit command, the contents are all there. This works OK, but is such a pain . Why can't I edit with Notepad?

sorry, havent got an answer for this one. try matapad as a replacement for notepad. it hasnt got tthe 64k bug/limitation like notepad. have a look http://www.liquidninja.com/metapad/ HTH chappie

I just used Find & right clicked on Hosts , Open With > selected Notepad & mine shows the file . Using 98 . Not much help , but at least you know , it should work if you have 98 .

Hi Brian, Are you saying you can open the Hosts file in Notepad...but then can not alter the text...or are you able to alter the text but not able to save the changes? Or, will it simply not open using Notepad? Also, what is one specific file you're trying this with as I can't be sure what "like hosts file" exactly might be. -MW

Hi Mike, I mean if I open it with Notepad, the file opens with Notepad but showing as completely blank. But if I open the same file with DOS edit, it shows the contents there. It's the same with other files too, like: * C:\Windows\hosts * C:\Windows\hosts.sam * msdos.sys * C:\Program Files\Aim95\aim.odl (AOL Instant Messenger config file) * Any proxy autoconfig file I might be trying out (*.pac extension) I'm not sure if I'm explaining it correctly. The files all "open" in Notepad, but appear as though completely blank. But with DOS's edit, the contents are visible.

Well, that is strange. As John (above) said and you probably know, they should open, display and edit with notepad. I've never run into the problem you're describing and like you, I'm stumped. I'm curious, however, what might happen if you try the following: Open notepad and leave the open window up. Open Windows Explorer and drill down to your Hosts file. Drag the file from Explorer to the open notepad window and see if it displays. If it does try editing and saving..check if changes you made remained by repeating the process. Let me know the results. -MW

Hey! That actually worked! I did as you said, opened Notepad, opened explorer, then dragged it to the Notepad window, and there it all was. Made a change, saved it, then reopened it the same way and the change was still there. But I still couldn't open it in Notepad from the "Open with..." dialog. Then, thinking further back, I remember a registry hack where you could make UNchecked be the default for "Always open this type of file with this program" on the dialog box after "open with..." (I always hated having to uncheck it). I opened regedit, changed it back so checked is the default, now everything is fine! It works again! Thanks to everyone who replied. Sometimes it takes awhile for the ol' brain to kick in.