2 hours ago, RichCor said:

Normally, HOSTS files are blank (containing rudimentary instructions on usage as comments). 

 

Take a look to see if whatever process that edited your HOSTS file also created a backup (i.e.: HOSTS.bak).  See what that file contains. You should be able to rename your current file HOSTS as HOSTS.bak2, then rename HOSTS.bak as HOSTS.  Then reboot for it to take effect.

 

 

Phew, you really know your stuff RC and thanks for the suggestions which I will get onto tomorrow once I have studied and inwardly digested them....takes time with an old fella are like me and if you think that I may be stretching a point here, I remember having to take my City in Guilds final exam and only having a slide rule (although I wouldn't have a clue how to use it these days). No calculators around in those days I'm afraid.

Thanks again and I'll get back to you with what I find/any success.

On 18/02/2018 at 12:27 PM, RichCor said:

Normally, HOSTS files are blank (containing rudimentary instructions on usage as comments). 

 

Take a look to see if whatever process that edited your HOSTS file also created a backup (i.e.: HOSTS.bak).  See what that file contains. You should be able to rename your current file HOSTS as HOSTS.bak2, then rename HOSTS.bak as HOSTS.  Then reboot for it to take effect.

 

 

Well RC I got onto this again and discovered literally hundreds of blocked addresses, however could not find the backup or any reference to it. Also worried that I might do some damage because I am a little out of my depth here.

Reading up on this a little more, and with your fantastic help, it would probably seem best that I leave things as they are and put up with the occasional video not playing, instead of being at risk being invaded by hundreds of ads and pop-ups that would seem to emanate from these addresses.

I really do think you and the other posters for their time and effort and it wasn't wasted, because now I know exactly what it is, what causes it and where to find it, and I've also discovered that it's probably best to leave well enough alone.

My I take my leave and bow to your superior knowledge and thank all for helping me increase mine.

2 hours ago, xylophone said:

Well RC I got onto this again and discovered literally hundreds of blocked addresses, however could not find the backup or any reference to it. Also worried that I might do some damage because I am a little out of my depth here.

Reading up on this a little more, and with your fantastic help, it would probably seem best that I leave things as they are and put up with the occasional video not playing, instead of being at risk being invaded by hundreds of ads and pop-ups that would seem to emanate from these addresses.

I really do think you and the other posters for their time and effort and it wasn't wasted, because now I know exactly what it is, what causes it and where to find it, and I've also discovered that it's probably best to leave well enough alone.

My I take my leave and bow to your superior knowledge and thank all for helping me increase mine.

 

Actually what he suggested was for you to make your own back up of your current HOSTS file.

Just copy it and place it elsewhere if need be. 

Then delete everything from within the original file in it's original location and then copy and paste in the details indicated under For Windows 10/8/7/Vista here; https://support.norton.com/sp/en/us/home/current/solutions/v72822654_EndUserProfile_en_us

 

That will return your HOSTS file to it's original factory condition.

 

Then you can see if the HOSTS file is the issue. Once you've finished testing, you can either put your copy back into place or use a freshly updated HOSTS file from the likes of http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

 

You can't muck it up.