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.
Your host file NEEDS the first entry to be 127.0.0.1 localhost to properly function, according to Microsoft. That may be an issue as well. Add that in then reboot and try