My Hosts File Ignored In Win2003 - PLEASE HELPPPP

Hi,


i have a big probelm in last few days which i can't resolve.
i defined some site on my computer, lets say cnn under my hosts file
but when i am doing ping to the cnn i am getting the real site and not
the 127.0.0.1.
here is my host
127.0.0.1 www.cnn.com


when i tried to ping the site, browser the site with IE it always took
me to the real CNN site. and not to the local site.


i checked the following things,
1. the extension of the hosts file - was OK.
2. the path under the registry key DataBasePath was ok - lead to the
hosts folder %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc
3. i used a file monitor on the etc folder and when i ping to cnn
nothing happen under the File monitor but when i get into the folder
the file monitor show me the operations i did.
4.i changed the priority order by adding the following KEY in the
registry,
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\Tcpip\ServiceProvider\**HostsPriority

and i gived it the value 1.
5. i tried to ipconfig /release or flushdns or registerdns and almost
any thing i found in the net but still i have the same problem.


so, as far as i can see it, my hosts file is ignored.


PLEASE ADVISE / HELP