Localhost doesn’t work in Windows Vista using NOD32 v3.0
Posted in: Troubleshooting
I turned on my computer and my Windows Security Center prompted me to upgrade my Eset Nod32 Anti-Virus v2.7 due to out of date. Argh! That is my initial reaction because that means I have to uninstall my old version of Nod32. I used to have AVG Free, Mcafee and Norton Anti-Virus but those programs slows down my computer. I like my anti-virus now because it really does protect my computer. Ever since I installed it in my computer I’m free of viruses, worms, and other unwanted programs. To add on that almost everyday it updates the latest virus definition without bugging while doing something in my computer.
It took me less than 15 minutes to download, install and reboot my computer before I can do my work again. I thought everything is perfect and when I start to access my localhost using Flock browser it just gives me a blank page, or connection reset error, and I noticed that when I type localhost it redirects to www.localhost.com. I tried Firefox but it did the same thing. I also double check and make sure my xampp program is running.
I told myself that it is something to do with Nod32 because that is the only change I made on my computer before this issue occurred. So I did a little research on this and I ended up editing my hosts file.
To access your hosts file go to.
1. C:(or Windows Folder)\\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
2. Open the HOSTS file using Notepad or any HTML Editor.
3. Look and delete :. localhost or :. 127.0.0.1
4. Save the file as hosts
5. Open your browser type localhost — it should work.
*I’m using Windows Vista Home Basic, Xampplite and Nod32 v3.0
Disclaimer:
If something happens on your computer don’t blame me. 
I’ve done this but when i change my CSS file it doesn’t change my ’site’ when i try to acces it with localhost.
127.0.0.1 does work.
Can you help me?
Thanks for the fix! Appreciate it!
Thanks:
Go to the Setup tab and click “Enter entire advanced setup tree”
Click “Web access protection” and uncheck the checkbox labeled “Enable web access protection”
This worked using Vista Business SP1 and VS2008 SP1
Wow, so glad I found this fix. Thanks!
i have tried this, but no luck
still i cant access using localhost
but i can with 127.0.0.1
Ok I did this:
Go to the Setup tab and click “Enter entire advanced setup tree”
Click “Web access protection” and uncheck the checkbox labeled “Enable web access protection”
This worked using Vista Business SP1 and VS2008 SP1
BUT IT DIDN’T WORK LET ME TRY TO REBOOT….
I guess it’s not a good solution coz nod32 says i’m not protected….huhuhu.. this is making me crazy.. any more solutions?
Thank you! I was starting to think I was crazy. My NOD32 did the same thing, and I had to go in and delete the
:: 1 localhost
entry.
Hey guys,
the solution for this one is very simple…
just follow the above instructions and make sure to add the this line to the hosts file
127.0.0.1 localhost
and if you don’t know how to edit the hosts file,
go to Start->All Programs->Accessories then right click on Notepad application and select “Run as administrator” this will give the administrator rights for the notepad application, then click continue if prompt by the User Account Control.
on Notepad select File->Open then browse the hosts file located in Windows\Sysytem32\drivers\etc\ and on the file types select All files”*.*”, this will display all files in the directory, now select hosts file with(s)..(not host)… and add this at the bottom 127.0.0.1 localhost.
if you cant find the hosts file with(s), the just open the host file without(s) the add 127.0.0.1 localhost at the bottom then “save as” to the filename “hosts” then say amen ;)…
I hope this will help.
Thank you for this fix. worked perfectly.
You are a life saver. I was looking for a solution to this problem but just couldn’t get the fix. You cannot even begin to imagine how much time I wasted even figuring out why localhost did not work.
I really needed this fix. Thank you so much. I am reading a book on database driven sites and this was causing a huge problem. Now I’m good to go!
I read all of the comments on this page and some were contradicting others. I tried removing and adding back in the localhosts file which makes no difference at all and then I disabled the nod32 setting which dreamluverz suggested and Apache stopped crashing.
I agree this is not the ideal solution but I think this is a nod32 bug which will eventually be fixed so for now I am happy with changing this setting and will make sure I am careful when browsing online.
I tried everything said here, but no success..I’ using Windows Vista Home Premium 32 bit, and using Xampp 1.7.3.
After installing Xampp I didn’t get the message Installation successful..It also for some reasons couldn’t crate the deskot and start menu icons.. :S and when I run the Xampp control panel, I click start next to Apache, but the admin button remains disabled, and I can’t access my localhost with a browser..Please if someone can help I would appreciate it very much..I need my localhost to test some get and post php methods for some class on my college.
Please if you have some solutions, email me.
Thank You very much in advance.
Greetings.
Rony