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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: