Problem with hosts file

[asmith]

Hi,

 

I'm moving my site to another server. But before I actually move it, I wanna test my new server without having to change my domain nameservers.

 

In windows hosts file when I try: (xp)

127.0.0.1 www.example.com

 

It works and it shows me the localhost, but it doesn't work when I try any other IP than 127.0.0.1 and it solves the name to the current running server, like I haven't set any IP address.

 

Any idea why it only works for 127.0.0.1?

[jcombs_31]

Can you give an example of your hosts file that you are trying.

[asmith]

windows\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS

 

That's the file, and this is its content: (xx.xx.xx.xx as my new server ip address, it works for 127.0.0.1 ip address but not for any other)

 

# Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.

#

# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

#

# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

# space.

#

# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

# lines or following the machine name denoted by a "#" symbol.

#

# For example:

#

# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

#

xx.xx.xx.xx www.mysite.com

127.0.0.1 localhost

[corbin]

Hrmmm, the only thing I can think of is that www.mysite.com will be remapped, but not mysite.com.  In other words, subdomains and domains are separate.

 

 

Aside from that, I doubt it's the problem, but you could try flushing your DNS cache.  (Open command prompt and type in "ipconfig /flushdns".)

[jcombs_31]

Are you trying to resolve via your browser by navigating to the page? Have you tried to ping the hostname? 

[premiso]

As corbin stated, I am sure it is the www. that is throwing it of, remove that part then after you do it try this to flush the DNS and see if it works:

 

Start > Run > gpupdate /force

 

After it is done refreshing the policy try to go to that site and see if it took.