Stop DCHP DNS using HOSTS in Win2kPro & IE6

Hello
I am trying to have certain domain names routed back to my localhost (127.0.0.1) to block them from my browser (ie6.sp1)
I am running win2k pro sp4.

I have modified my hosts file and pinging the domain name does return 127.0.0.1.

I am networked to a cable modem and my ISP runs DHCP.

Win2k network UI prevents me form entering 0.0.0.0 or 127.xxx.xxx.xxx to the DNS list in the network adapter. I have made regedit changes to 'namespace' and 127.0.0.1 is shows up in ipconfig (but when i restart the modification is gone).

Ping returns local host for the domain names i have added to the hosts file. However when I us the URL in IE6.sp1 (Q818529, Q330994) i am connect to the actual web site ( I have manually deleted the browser cache, removed cached items form IE6, and restarted IE6.)

Does any one know how I can make the browser point to values in the HOSTS file and return 404-file not found?

Thanks
Buck

Your hosts file should take precedence over DNS and you should not go to the remote website unless you have some typo in the URL in your hosts file.

Thanks for the feed back Doug. The hosts file takes precedence but i need to know how to stop IE6 to stop trying to resolve the name after looking at the hosts file. To verify no typo error I cleared the browser cache, and copy and pasted from the HOSTS file to IE6. The site loaded (which I am trying to stop), however when I ping the same site it resolves to the localhost (127.0.0.1).

not sure why the browser is resolving the domain name...

Does your IE use a proxy? I use hosts file to filter out sites I don't want which works fine (XP Pro, IE6).

If you don't enter http:// at the start of the URL I think IE goes to a search site, maybe that's what's happening.

Doug your response really helped me out... I am not using a proxy BUT my IE6 was configured to automatically find a connection (Tools --> Internet Options --> Connections Tab --> LAN Settings Button --> Unchecked Automatic). I unchecked that and now my IE6 isnt going to my ISP proxy for DNS resolution. THANKS.