Advise, please? HOSTS & related files

[jayzzz]

I've got unnecessary files with my HOSTS file. I've also got a longstanding (year+) association between Brøderbund (a print shop program) and my HOSTS.TXT.SIG file that I haven't been able to stop from recurring when I update HOSTS.

I think it got screwed up because of opening some zip files rather than extracting them. I was ignorant & inconsistent. Still don't understand how the two processes differ, but nowadays I always extract when the option is there.

I'd be grateful for advice on what I can safely dump (see screenshot) and on how to eliminate the Brøderbund association if it won't be go away with the unnecessary files. I learned a hard drive or two ago not to delete based on my own best guesswork, and don't know what else belongs with HOSTS. I'm also open to a recommendation if a particular HOSTS file resource is held in higher regard than hpguru.

[no13]

the files without extensions are important... the rest useless and harmless...
AFAICT.. that's it.
Try merging >1 HOSTS files.
A good one for novices @ www.geocities.com/yosponge

[jayzzz]

Thank you! So I can delete 5 files (or 6, if I don't keep a HOSTSprior.txt). Can the folder called 'Mac' be deleted, as well? I don't think it was always there.

I've tried deleting the HOSTS.TXT.sig file, but the next time I updated, that association with my print shop program was in the new one. Perhaps when those other files are gone, that won't happen. I'll try re-extracting the current HOSTS.

Try merging >1 HOSTS files.

I'm not sure what you mean.

P.S. Thanks for the size adjustment, ronjor!

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by jayzzz

I'm also open to a recommendation if a particular HOSTS file resource is held in higher regard than hpguru.

HPguru's Hosts file is held in very high regard....along with MVPS HOSTS File

Originally Posted by jayzzz

Can the folder called 'Mac' be deleted, as well? I don't think it was always there....I'll try re-extracting the current HOSTS.

The Mac folder is part of HPguru's Hosts file and can be deleted if you wish. You can read about the HOSTS.TXT.sig file in the Readme.html that comes with HPguru's hosts.zip file

from the Readme.html file:

PGP Signature
The HOSTS.TXT.sig file is a cryptographic signature and not a part of the hosts file. If you are not running some 32bit version of PGP then you don't need it and may discard it.

[jayzzz]

Originally Posted by Bubba

... You can read about the HOSTS.TXT.sig file in the Readme.html that comes with HPguru's hosts.zip file
from the Readme.html file

I did, which is why I deleted it...more than once. Would still like to get rid of the wrong Brøderbund association that returns with every update, even if it doesn't currently affect anything. I'll tinker a little bit, and if it doesn't go, maybe changing the source of the HOSTS file will get rid of it.

My guess is that I accidentally clicked on the print shop graphics program as a way to view that file when I first began using a HOSTS file, and it's set as a default viewer somewhere. There should be a process to replace that memory in the computer, if so.

[Bubba]

Originally Posted by jayzzz

Would still like to get rid of the wrong Brøderbund association that returns with every update, even if it doesn't currently affect anything.

It appears from the above pic that you are using XP ?

Perhaps the below MSKB article will help.

This article---> How to change file associations in Windows XP

[jayzzz]

Thank you! I read that, and had the default changed in well under a minute. Will know for sure if it worked after re-extracting...and will reboot before doing that.

I couldn't find anything when I searched in here about extracting from zip files, versus opening them and copying or cutting/pasting their contents to the place they'd otherwise be extracted to. Do you have any ideas on search terminology that might get me to the info I want?

[Bubba]

The compression program you are using might have the same feature mine does(powerarchiver) where by I can depress and hold my right mouse button as I place the mouse pointer over a zip file in Windows Explorer. I then drag the file over to a folder of my choice and release the right mouse button. A menu should then pop up and you can select Extract here.

Other than that....I'm not sure of what search terminology would best fit what you are asking

[jayzzz]

I decided as long as I have the current HOSTS in place, I'll save the test for the next update. Like everyone, I run out of time before I run out of things to do.

If I have the feature you mention, I'm not aware of it. Am I wrong in thinking there's a difference between what I get when I extract the contents of a zip file to a specific place and what I'd get if I opened the file and copied or moved its contents to that same place? It was an assumption, rather than anything I read or was told.
==================
I'm going off my own topic here because I hate to start a new thread over something trivial. It hasn't been worthy of mention within any posts here, at Wilders. I did a search for it.

There's a folder under Drivers called disdn that I don't remember seeing before I deleted the unnecessary files in with HOSTS...but I'm not sure. Every time I look, I change my mind about it. One of my cats was on the desk, nuzzling my hand on the mouse while I deleted those files that were with HOSTS, so I might've done something unintentional. It wouldn't be the first time my cats "helped" me move a folder. I'll attach a screen snapshot in hopes of finding out if it belongs or not.

[no13]

Try merging >1 HOSTS files.

find hosts files from 2 or more sources.... merge them by removing duplicates.
better, wider coverage. harder work.

[jayzzz]

Originally Posted by no13

find hosts files from 2 or more sources.... merge them by removing duplicates.
better, wider coverage. harder work.

Thank you for the suggestion & the explanation. It's a great idea for someone who has experience merging such files. I'm barely managing a HOSTS file from one source!

[no13]

I'm still continuing LOL...
Don't get enough time to even type out these replies
My true merged Hosts file went up in smoke after a local "repairman" formatted C:
<<ANGER>>
anywhu... Good luck on your "ad-lessness" quest (is that a real word?)

[jayzzz]

Originally Posted by no13

I'm still continuing LOL...
Don't get enough time to even type out these replies
My true merged Hosts file went up in smoke after a local "repairman" formatted C:
<<ANGER>>
anywhu... Good luck on your "ad-lessness" quest (is that a real word?)

Thank you. Actually, it's not a quest. I've pretty much attained "ad-lessness" with what I currently have. Sounds like you should've had a back up of that merged file!