unable to lookup my hostname via gethostbyname() function

fakie_flip · 09-02-2006, 05:20 PM

I tried changing my hostname in /etc/hosts before changing it in
/etc/hostname. Now what can I do? I am going to go into single user mode from
grub and boot from a live cd to restore the backup file
/etc/hosts_backup. Is there any way to fix this problem without rebooting? I shouldn't
have to reboot to fix a problem because I am not using windows.

Code:

chris@chris-desktop:~$ sudo vim /etc/hosts
sudo: unable to lookup chris-desktop via gethostbyname()
chris@chris-desktop:~$ sudo vim /etc/host
host.conf     hosts         hosts_backup
hostname      hosts.allow   hosts.deny
chris@chris-desktop:~$ sudo vim /etc/hostname
sudo: unable to lookup chris-desktop via gethostbyname()
chris@chris-desktop:~$ gksu gedit /etc/hostname
sudo: unable to lookup chris-desktop via gethostbyname()

chris@chris-desktop:~$ sudo cp /etc/hosts_backup hosts
sudo: unable to lookup chris-desktop via gethostbyname()
chris@chris-desktop:~$ cat /etc/hosts
127.0.0.1 localhost ubuntu
127.0.1.1 ubuntu

# The following lines are desirable for IPv6 capable hosts
::1 ip6-localhost ip6-loopback
fe00::0 ip6-localnet
ff00::0 ip6-mcastprefix
ff02::1 ip6-allnodes
ff02::2 ip6-allrouters
ff02::3 ip6-allhosts

# websites to be blocked
127.0.0.1 www.google.com

chris@chris-desktop:~$

billymayday · 09-02-2006, 06:11 PM

I'd suggest tha tthe hostname may not be set in /etc/hostname. For example, in FC5 it is set in /etc/sysconfig/network.

Have you tried setting it with the hostname command?

fakie_flip · 09-02-2006, 07:31 PM

I just tried changing my hostname with the hostname command. Hopefully I did it right.

Code:

ubuntu@ubuntu:~/Desktop$ sudo hostname -v chris

After that, I cannot open programs however I can open up another gnome terminal window by pushing control shift n when the terminal window that I had opened is focused.

fakie_flip · 09-02-2006, 07:33 PM

The new terminal window shows my new hostname, but why can't I open up programs anymore? Now I am getting this error after using the hostname command.

Code:

ubuntu@chris:~/Desktop$ gedit
Xlib: connection to ":0.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified

cannot open display: (null)
Run 'gedit --help' to see a full list of available command line options.
ubuntu@chris:~/Desktop$ xclock
Xlib: connection to ":0.0" refused by server
Xlib: No protocol specified

Error: Can't open display: :0.0
ubuntu@chris:~/Desktop$

tredegar · 09-03-2006, 03:52 AM

Well, your Xserver is tied to your hostname.
So if you change your hostname, you'll loose your connection.
Solution: Restart the Xserver, or reboot.
HTH