Author Topic: Host File Locked (Read 1300 times)

BenJr · « **on:** July 10, 2007, 05:32:59 am »

My Dad is running XP Pro and is trying to update his WinMX using the 3.0mod2 patch. When he runs the installation, he gets this popup stating that the Host File is locked. When he tries to continue with the installation he gets an error message: Auto It Error: Line 0... something about some variables.
Now not only have we disabled and even shutdown his security programs but we used two programs to tell us what has locked the files and nothing appears to have any of the WinMx files locked.
Not only is this strange but it's driving me crazy.
He's running WinMx 3.54 beta 4.
What do you think the problem is?
Help, the banner going back and forth for the update is making him nuts.

BenJr

SamSeeSam · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2007, 06:28:33 am »

If you happen to have any anti spyware or system moniter, then try disabling those and see if it helps also try disabling the antivirus. After the installation reenable everything.
Thing is, somethign might be preventing the installer from accessing the hosts file. So the problem arises.
The host fiels is checked for redundant winmx related entries, like when the temp patch was issued. After that, there is no need for the hosts file for normal winmx use

Cheers

BenJr · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2007, 07:59:56 am »

Well, I did it!

As I said in my original post, I did disable all the security programs on my Dad's computer, and still the "Host File Locked" popup kept popping up.
I also uninstalled WinMx, then tried to install the patched version and still that little guy kept haunting me. Where it was coming from with no WinMx installed I couldn't figure out.
So what finally worked was installing WinMx in Safe Mode. I did disable the security programs before rebooting in Safe Mode. Not sure if that helped. But my Dad is so happy to be all updated with his favorite P2P program, and that's all that matters.

Thanks SamSeeSam for responding as quickly as you did. I do appreciate it.

Happy Downloading

BenJr

GhostShip · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2007, 08:12:02 am »

For those in a similar position this location has a free tool to keep handy.

http://www.funkytoad.com/content/view/13/31/

The tool itself.

http://www.funkytoad.com/download/HostsXpert.zip

Using this tool you can back up and lock/unlock your host file whilst making changes, all in all a decent tool