Question: Here's my hosts(with a single entry):

```
127.0.0.1 test

```

But it's not working any more:

```
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator>ping test
Ping request could not find host test. Please check the name and try again.

```

Why?

**UPDATE**

It stops working ever since I used **[openvpn](http://openvpn.net/)**

**UPDATE2**

![alt text](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ssJRt.png)

Answer: 
I had the same problem none of presented suggestions worked for me. I found the clue there:
<https://serverfault.com/a/50950/161292>

I rigth-clicked on hosts file and went to Properties->Security->Advanced. then I checked *Inherit from Parent* and clicked 'apply'. That solved my problem.
If you just edited your host file, you maybe need to flush your dns table

ipconfig -flushdns

ping test