[GREAT TIP!] Point your pc to another server
 

Maybe a lot of you know this already, but Im using this more n more and its handy :)

Say you want to move a domain to a different host or set up a backup and you cannot do a http://hostname/tempdomainname then here you go :

1. look up the HOSTS file in XP : C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

2. add the IP followed with a space followed with the domainname

sample : 11.22.33.555 www.mymaryanne.com

3. reboot

Make sure its www.domain.com or domain.com and type the domain like THAT in IE or FF. After youre done just del the entry and reboot.

You dont need to reboot your computer...

The computer should check the HOSTS file prior to doing any domain name resolution but incase it doesnt here is a tip to restart your DNS client on XP without rebooting.

Start -> Settings -> Administrative Tools -> Services
Select the DNS Client service and restart it

I have our DNS servers set in my local connection. Each time we add a domain/sub domain it shows up instantly.

Doesnt matter... Windows still caches what it resolves through it's own DNS client... Adding a domain/subdomain is one thing but try altering the IP address of the domain/sub-domain and you'll notice it doesnt change right away...not unless you reset your DNS client (under XP)