Hosts file causing more problems than it solves

[videobruce]

tried this once before and stopped using it, partly because of issues with many web sites.
Well, I'm tring it again and it gets rid of many ads on web pages, BUT;

1. It restricts some sites entirely (can't log into Excite Mail),
2. It blocks images that aren't ads (Toms' Hardware reviews, the proformance graphs)
3.It causes some pages to hang while waiting for ads to load.

Other than getting rid of it all together or trying to aquire a list of addresses to delete from the 45,000+ entry 'hosts' file, can anything else be done?

Win 2k running Opera V8.53
BTW, I checked Excite Mail on Mozilla and I can't sign in there either.

[Welshjim]

videobruce--

the 45,000+ entry 'hosts' file

Where did you get the list to populate that HOSTS file? That seems excessive.
I use the hosts.zip file offered here (plus a few I add myself)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
It does not contain "Excite.com".

It blocks images that aren't ads (Toms' Hardware reviews...

If you right click|Properties on the place where those images should be you can see the source in the Address line. You can then delete that address from your HOSTS file or just place a # immediately to the left of the line on which it appears and click File|Save. (You can view and amend the HOSTS file in NotePad. And you can browse through the entries by using Edit|Find.))

[HAN]

I agree with Jim. The best HOSTS file for me is also the MVPS version. I'm guessing you are using the one from hpHOSTS. I could not use it either because it was just too aggresive.

Something you may find helpful is a HOSTS file manager called HOSTSMAN http://pwp.netcabo.pt/0413933601/abe.../hostsman.html It makes HOSTS file management so much easier. There are 3 changes I make to it's default installation.

I do not allow it to load at Windows Startup (just no need for that.)
I set the file that it checks and updates to the MVPS version and uncheck the hpHOSTS one.
I change the default loading action of a newly updated HOSTS file to replace, rather than merge. This keeps it up-to-date instead of leaving behind what may be old, outdated listings.

Once set up properly, HOSTSMAN makes HOSTS file management a breeze. It even has exclusion capabilites that allows you to permanently white list sites you absolutely must reach that future HOSTS file updates might block.

I have been running the MVPS HOSTS file for nearly 2 years and I swear by it...

[videobruce]

Where did you get the list to populate that HOSTS file?

I'm guessing you are using the one from hpHOSTS.

Sounds as you mean this (what I am using);
http://www.hosts-file.net/downloads.html

HAN; Someone else suggested using B.I.S.S. Hosts Manager;
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/modules.ph...howpage&pid=10
I installed it but it doesn't show the left side panel as this link shows. It does have a option 'Hosts Switch' which is neat. It allows turning on or off the whole list. Other than that, it doesn't appear to be of any real value though I haven't really looked into it.

I will try your suggestion.

[HAN]

Sounds as you mean this (what I am using);http://www.hosts-file.net/downloads.html

Yes, that's the one. It has a very, very comprehensive blocking list. For me, it was just too much.

Someone else suggested using B.I.S.S. Hosts Manager

I have never used it. So I can't give an opinion on it.

From things I read, IMO, it's probably going to be tough to beat HOSTSMAN. At least if you wish to use one or more of the HOSTS file lists it supports. The 4 supported HOSTS files are:
http://www.hosts-file.net/
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.everythingisnt.com/hosts.html
http://remember.mine.nu/

As I noted, the MVPS file is my preference.

HOSTSMAN works very well for me. It gives several options for setup. The latest version even allows for exclusions (if you have a site on the list you need to get to.) Other than the setup changes I noted above, I just run it once or twice a month to get the latest update. Really simple and only takes a minute or two.

Let us know what you think...

[videobruce]

45k+ vs 10k+ entries. I thought that other file was a bit large.

Can you save resizing the window & column width?

[HAN]

Can you save resizing the window & column width?

I assume that you are refering to the editor (where the listings in the HOSTS file are viewed?) If so, HOSTSMAN gives you a couple of options. It has it's own viewer (HOSTSMAN Editor, which I use) and it will also allow you to view the file in Notepad. (The nice thing about the HOSTSMAN Editor is that it has a nice search feature built into the toolbar on top.) The column width in the Editor program is adjustable but I don't know if it remembers those settings between sessions. I don't use it often enough to know...

[videobruce]

I am referring to it's own editor which I would use since is is much nicer than notepad. It opens in a small window. I perfer full desktop height and narrower than the default with narrower columns.

It's just you have to resize it everytime it opens.

[HAN]

Ahhh!

Sorry but I don't know of any tweak you can make to the Editor itself. I have seldom used the editor so it's never really been an issue for me.