The file HOSTS should be in c:windowssystem32driversetc You might only find a file named HOSTS.SAM (as in SAMPLE). That is OK; we can modify HOSTS.SAM file as well and do a SAVE AS HOSTS.

In either case, double click on HOSTS file to open it. You will be prompted by Windows to select an Application (Program) to use to VIEW file.

Scroll list and select Notepad. Click OK button. The NOTEPAD program will now open, displaying file HOSTS. You will see examples listed (The # symbol is used to comment out line or remarks.), format is this. IP address (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx SPACE name) So, to tell your computer that www.yourwebsite.com is at address (replace with your real IP) 12.345.678.90 add following entry to bottom of hosts file: 12.345.678.90 www.yourdomain.com (As in example).

Click on FILE, slide down and click on SAVE AS.

In Save As Type field, select ALL FILES. (Ensure that no .SAM is shown after filename HOSTS. Click SAVE. You may be warned that file already exists; this is fine, click YES.

Close Notepad, by clicking on FILE, slide down to EXIT, and click. Now when you open your web browser, or try to ping site, your system will go to IP address you typed in HOSTS file.

Remember to undo this when finished testing or your machine will always want to go to that IP address whenever you want to go to that site.

After you're satisfied that your site looks ok and functions ok, you can go to your registrar (the company where your domain name is registered) and modify nameservers associated with your domain name to your new web host's nameservers. If you don't know your new host's nameservers, ask them. Most hosts have that information listed somewhere on their website or in email you first get after signing up for an account.

Once dns modification is completed it'll be 24-48 hours before you'll see your site on new server.

Most whois utilities will display nameservers of current host. A good one is at http://whois.sc. Check your domain name and see if nameservers you added are listed. If so, you have completed website transfer to your new web host. Only after you've confirmed this is it ok to cancel your old web hosting account.

Russ Mate is President of MateMedia, Inc.

http://www.matemediainc.com sales@matemediainc.com Your Partner on Web Toll Free 1-877-309-7521

MateMedia offers following services:

Web Hosting Web Design & Development Search Engine Optimization Domain Name Registration

Russ Mate is President of MateMedia, Inc.

http://www.matemediainc.com sales@matemediainc.com Your Partner on the Web Toll Free 1-877-309-7521

MateMedia offers the following services:

Another option is what's called a "managed dedicated" hosting plan. With a managed dedicated plan, you get a dedicated server and hosting company also provides comprehensive support like you usually find in a shared hosting plan. This is a good alternative for companies that don't have an IT staff or a server administrator and don't want to get involved at all in technical aspects of running a server. The price for a managed dedicated server is usually higher than for an unmanaged dedicated server plan as you're getting technical support included.

Whatever type of web hosting plan you choose, make sure that plan you've chosen fits your needs.

Russ Mate is President of MateMedia, Inc.

http://www.matemediainc.com sales@matemediainc.com Your Partner on Web Toll Free 1-877-309-7521

MateMedia offers following services:

Web Hosting Web Design & Development Search Engine Optimization Domain Name Registration

Russ Mate is President of MateMedia, Inc.

http://www.matemediainc.com sales@matemediainc.com Your Partner on the Web Toll Free 1-877-309-7521

MateMedia offers the following services: