you might try looking at your /etc/host.conf file. It tells the system 
 where it should look first.  I currently have mine set to look at my local 
 /etc/hosts file and then look at DNS if it was not found in the hosts 
 file.
 
 scott
 
Sorry, I forgot to mention this was an OpenBSd system. I 
do not see that paticular file :-(

-Mike