Error message regarding DNS

[graphomet]

Hello forum and Merry Christmas to all.

I'm having an issue with a software I'm trying to install which is not Microsoft related (but it could be)
its not installing correctly. Im a bit frustrated because I'm stuck with no progress. I recently got a reply from the forum admin giving me some insight, but I dont know if he is 100% with his solution. So anyone who can shed some light is highly appreciated, Id like your opinion to his reply/solution if this is the case.

Topic: Error message regarding DNS | ServerPress.com

Kind regards.

 

[Yard Dog]

Hello graphomet . have you looked at this tutorial : http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18203-internet-troubleshooting-guide.html

 

[graphomet]

Hi Yard dog!

I dont think this is the answer to my problem. My internet is running fine. Im just trying to install and run my own server on my desktop using serverpress. Thats where the trouble begins. The link you posted seems so complicated for my issue... Did you read my post in the Serverpress forums? This is not an internet connection from what the admin has stated.

 

[Yard Dog]

Okay, do this please. run SFC 3 times to make sure your files are in order. seems something is missing: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[Barman58]

Hi Graphomet,

Firstly the Manual change of DNS servers mentioned is I believe a "red Herring" - All this is doing is setting the DNS server, used for internet Lookups, from the normal (ISP Provided), to Google public servers, (not a bad thing in itself, but not really valid here).

The error message you are getting may be more important, It is caused I believe by a permissions issue, Windows 7 protects the Hosts file quite vigorously from changes, (it is a known target for malware and can cause major issues if compromised.). In order to access and change the contents of the Hosts file, you must be running with administrator privilege, I suggest that you run the software by right clicking the executable and "Run as Administrator" if you are already doing this it may be necessary to manually add any entries you need to, to the host file, (run notepad as administrator, and open the file directly).

Check the software documentation, for the details of the additions to the hosts file that are required, The host file works as a local manual store for fixed DNS entries, so an error here will lead to issues with the running of any local DNS server

 

[graphomet]

Hi Barman.

Im going to give that a go too, to run as administrator and see if I might just be lucky. But do I have to uninstall the software and reinstall the software?

Right now Im doing what yard dog suggested to try the: sfc /scannow. Its my 3rd time and so far nothing comes up.

Thank you.

 

[Yard Dog]

If you get No integrity violations on 3rd time.. then do as our moderator suggested. And btw.. hope you always run as Admin. even if on non admin account.

 

[graphomet]

Just tried using Run as Administrator and got the same message. Ill try to do the entries which you mentioned.

 

[graphomet]

Ok I located my host file in my drivers etc folder and opened it up with notepad ++ the softwares domain is not located in there in order for it to be blocked. Am I thinking correct so far? and also regarding the message I am getting when the software is running:

Error-unable to write and update
“c\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\host”.

whats it got to do with me trying to connect to the internet server, and updating the host? is this a common problem, or is my system in away misconfigurated. The fact that sometimes I get the BSOD does it play a role to all this issue?

 

[Barman58]

The hosts file is an old system file that is still used by windows - It holds information on URL to IP addresses that windows can fall back on if there is no access to a DNS server either on the Local network or the Internet.

When looking for an address for a URL, windows checks the hosts file before any other location so as you have mentioned this is often used to "block" a particular address, by redirecting the URL to a null IP Address, (normally LocalHost at 127.0.0.1).

However, the original use for the hosts file was to direct address queries on smaller systems where there is a local network but no DNS server. looking at the application you are trying to install/Use, I am assuming that there needs to be an entry made in the hosts file for the "fake" server that will be used for testing.

this would be something like

www.server.dev 127.0.0.1

there may also be a requirement to allocate a port number which is set by following the ip ddress by :nn where nn is the port required so the entry above to access the normal web port, port 80, would be ....

www.server.dev 127.0.0.1:80

you would have to check with the software documentation or the developer forum as to exactly what is needed to be added to the hosts file manually

 

[graphomet]

Ok thanks for that Nigel. Im waiting for some feedback from the Admins at Serverpress. But so for one of them pointed out my anti virus. Could this be a worry the fact Im not running a Microsoft anti virus and I have avast?

 

[graphomet]

Also Id like to add Im digging into the softwares folders and I found one called "other" I located a host file in there too. And in that host file its got the www."sites name".dev I registered when I tried to connect to the internet. Is this something fishy? should there be a host folder in a software?

 

[Barman58]

If they are saying that there is a specific issue with avast then I would follow their lead on this, although I have found that a lot of developers will tend to "blame" an AV that they are not familiar with without any proof -

When installing any program that works at a low, (system), level, it is often a good idea to disable all AV on the system as the AV could see the system level changes as a malware issue.

Edit, Just seen your last post whilst typing

Copy the contents of the "extra" Host file and paste it into the "correct " hosts file, it looks like the program may be getting confused with the locations - locations in Windows 7 are a lot different from those in, for example, XP qnd although if the developer uses accepted MS Protocols for this all is good, some use direct writes which can cause this sort of issue

 

[Slartybart]

Just jumping in for a moment - Nigel / Barman is providing you with excellent help.

I read your post on the ServerPress forum and have one answer and one suggestion.

The 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4 static DNS server addresses are fine - they are Google's public DNS. I recommend those servers when troubleshooting some network issues (because they are easy to remember)

It would be good to know what's in the Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts (no extension on hosts) file. The default file used to include one entry 127.0.0.0 for loopback testing. The MS fixit that resets the hosts file essentially creates an empty file (everything is commented out). This puts the onus on the router to define the loopback.

Please attach the above hosts file to a post (you can edit the www.servername.com if it's defined in that file, but do not change anything else).

Also, please launch an elevated Command Prompt (right click ... run as administrator) and enter the following

cls
c:
cd C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc

icacls hosts

** copy the text in the Command Prompt window and
** paste it into a text file
** attach the text file to a post
** then you can exit or close the command prompt

exit​

If the hosts file is not quite right, I'll suggest resetting the hosts file ... but not without seeing the data.

A standard Hosts file is only a KB (maybe 2 KB). If it's much larger, don't bother attaching the contents and definitely DO NOT reset the hosts file.

 

[graphomet]

Hello Slartybart

Thank you for reply, as if my DNS server problem was not enough, as I tried one more time to connect, I got a message while launching the serverpress software that I have used up my free version of the software and I get prompt to become a premium member, lol.. I haven't even used the software cant connect to server but I'm getting message like this, how ironic! I've sent a message to support, hope I get a response.

btw just thinking if its worth uninstalling the software and reinstalling again, in case I can make some more attempts for faster solution, because I'd like to give your advice a go too, sound promising hopefully. Or do software companies detect I.P and cannot reuse the software again ?

Thank you.

 

[Slartybart]

I'm not familiar with ServerPress, so I can't address that pgm specifically. Trial/demo versions of software have various mechanisms to detect 'reuse' - too many methods to go into any great detail. Some create a file, some create an entry in the registry, some do both ...

ServerPress should resolve this for your (the out of free version use) - press hard if they press hard. If it's a good company, they will help (they want you to buy their premium membership and unhappy trial version users won't).

Uninstalling/Reinstalling ServerPress might work, I don't know. Give it a shot and post your results.

The only real advice I gave was on the Google DNS servers (affirming that the address is safe). The other stuff is gathering data on the issue.

You can easily change the DNS server as a quick test, but without having ServerPress configurable, there's not much to gain at this point. I'd give ServerPress a day or two to respond. Of course, if the reinstall lets you do what you're trying to do, you should try the DNS change (I think ServerPress recommenced the DNS change as a workaround)

You could still post the hosts file if it's small (I don't need to see tens or hundreds of entries). And since you said that ServerPress complained about accessing the hosts file, I'd like to see the access control list (icacls output).

I'll keep an eye on your thread, but I might not be very responsive - got busy in September and will be busy until late Jan or Feb ... but I do stop in and check, just not every day.

If I find some time, I might read up on ServerPress to see If I can find some low hanging fruit (easy things that might sort things out).

Bill
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