Well I have my host file setup to to block ad server. running a LAMP server. I want it so I can have a small clear gif file replaces the 404 error is there something I can add to fix this.

so, you are allready running a server?
if so, try squid.
it can change the errors to, whatever you like.

otherwise i got no id how to do this

I am running a webserver.so I like 404's to be a clear gif file. but I don't know what files to change. I have a host file that blocked the ad's and now I want something that when I get a 404 page not found it would be a gif image.

I don't get How this will help me. it appers to be like a poxy server. which is cool. but all I want to know is how to change 404 error to a gif file.

i figured you wanted to change "other" webserver's 404 error's so you would recieve another msg.
but you want to make your own apache server give a 404 error with a gif, in stead of the one you have now.

in that case, apache will do just fine, no need for squid (srr about that).
in apache, there is a line that set's what error message people get, and you can change it to any url (witch happens to be the .gif you want).|
(check /etc/httpd/httpd.conf, if not found, do "find / -name 'httpd.conf' to search for the configuration file)

i forgot exactly how the line looks like, but i'm sure that it's in the manual (type man apache)

otherwise, a more simple solution might be webmin.
as the name suggest, webmin is a web-based administration tool.
if set up correctly, it's secure, and mostly easy to use. perfect for learning how to run a server, or how to configure it.

it has a more easy way of setting any kind of error message to whatever you like.

i hope this helps.
shorun

yeah that helps a lot
thank you