Strange DNS lookup characteristics

I am experiencing a strange problem where my system is looking up the DNS servers before the hosts file when I refer to local names. I have cut my hosts file down to the most basic hosts file that one can have (127.0.0.1 localhost) and when I type 'telnet localhost' it still thinks it ne

Strange DNS lookup characteristics

I am experiencing a strange problem where my system is looking up the DNS servers before the hosts file when I refer to local names. I have cut my hosts file down to the most basic hosts file that one can have (127.0.0.1 localhost) and when I type 'telnet localhost' it still thinks it ne