Solved DNS entries in hosts file are being ignored

[Zigawaguay]

I have a webserver in my network with the address 192.168.10.110 with several websites running on it. To play around with all the different websites but without having to change the DNS server in our company, I'm using the hosts file:
%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts

Right now it's like this:
192.168.10.110 example (separated by tab)

Now if I ping "example", the system tells me that the host is not reachable. If I ping the IP address, it works just fine. For the website I need a name though.

THIS HAS ALWAYS WORKED UNTIL A FEW DAYS AGO! Since about 2 days, my system just ignores what's in my hosts file and I'm running out of ideas what this could cause.

I have tried the following:
- Copied the original untouched hosts file from another computer, added a single entry and it didn't work
- Deleted all the entries but one. I have separated it by space and by tab (tab has always worked)
- Tried different codings of the file from Notepad++ (ANSI, UTF-8)

If somebody has an idea, I would appreciate it.

System: Windows 7 Professional, 64bit

 

[UsernameIssues]

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Did you add patches on Patch Tuesday?
If so, maybe back them out one at a time.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Also, is your DNS Client service running?

 

[Zigawaguay]

I have checked, there were no relevant updates within the questionable time range that could have affected this issue. Only a few Office updates, but I don't think an Office update should cause such a problem.

My DNS Client service actually is running, BUT I have shut it down and as soon as this service is stopped, it works!!
I couldn't say 100%, but I'm pretty sure that this service was always running and I guess it would be good to have it running, but at least for now I have a solution.
Do you have any idea how I could get it back running with the hosts file still working?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Several websites that provide HOSTS files suggest not running the DNS service. I've not run it for years. I would post links to those websites for you to read, but the forum blocks such links because they discuss ad blocking (discussing that is against forum rules).

 

[Zigawaguay]

I will find information about it. If I don't have to run the service, that's fine too. I still don't know exactly what it's doing, but for the last 2 days now my computer has run just fine without it. So I guess I will just shut it down.
Still wondering what has changed and why I got this problem in the first place, but I'm glad I can access my sites again. Thanks for your help.

 

[UsernameIssues]

The DNS service caches IP addresses. This cache is kept in RAM, so it is cleared each time you restart the computer.

I'm not sure what changed on your network, but turning off the DNS service forces each app to request the resolution of each URL instead of using the service. If you are really bored, scan thru this old post.