cantankerous hosts file

everytime i format, in the past 2 months (approx 8 times) i cant do jack with the mvps.org hosts file...i get a standard microsnot msg about the disk being full or write protected. that is absolutely wrong...i can do the rename and install in safe mode but then i cant do any maintenance or updates unless i am in safe mode and that really sux. for years i have been able to use this feature with no ,i repeat no problems using the same o/s i have now...i even deleted ALL of my malware detection programs, one at a time, and they are not the problem, i have checked zone alarm 6 and it is set properly. i launched a command prompt and killed all appz (like explore) that might have it open, and tried to delete it, and it came back with an attribute of archived, i changed that and still it wont budge. i used the security tab of 'properties, and removed all users & permissions then added my user name and administrator, making myself the owner, no help. what do i have to do to be able to simply install the current hosts file and get rid of the little 1kb one provided with the o/s. this really is making me psycho, its supposed to me MY computer not some wanker who writes code to terrorize me with his/her cute games. plz tell me what to do - other than honorable hari kari, tkz and aloha

p.s. i have another computer, on the same lan using the same setup and it works fine!!!

 

Hi ya jbirdie.

Some systems can use the bios to write protect a HD.
But in your case it's not the bios otherwise it would write protect in safe mode as well.
Sometimes the MBR or boot.ini file can get corrupted and cause this.
But again... safe mode works for you
By the way... you don't have an unusually large fixed Virtual Memory set do you?
Could also be the pagefile.sys file is corrupted.

In any case...
I think your path is a correct one at this time.
Some auto run code at start up is most likely the culprit.
I would first check the startup list to see if there is anything starting up that shouldn't be. (Start button... Run... "Type" msconfig)
Have you ever used or know how to use hijack this?
Many times it can find a startup being activated that isn't in the public startup list.
Look through your installed software list to see if there is anything installed you didn't put there.
Also check in the Programs File folder in the root directory and look for an ominous folder.

One thing that although is rare... but sometimes is fruitful is to check to see if the Explore.exe file has been replaced.

Just by chance friend... What version of Windows do you work with?
If XP... at 8 reinstalls your up against a wall. Your only allowed 10.

Sorry I couldn't give you a more direct fix...
But what you report could result from one of many causes.