Can't connect to local IIS7 site I've set up

Question

• I've set up a .NET web application within IIS7 on my local computer
• I've created it as an actual separate website in IIS and named the website 'abcd'
• I've set the correct application pool and physical path for the site
• I've added a binding for the site with Type=http, Host Name=xyz, Port=80, IP Address=*
• I've edited my local 'hosts' file and have added the line:
  • # 127.0.0.1 xyz
• The application doesn't need to be available to the outside world just now. I've given the NETWORK SERVICE account the following permissions on the parent folder for the application:
  • Read & execute, List folder contents, Read, Write
• The NETWORK SERVICE account also has the following permissions for files within the folder:
  • Read & execute, Read, Write

When I try to browse the site in IE by using the address http://xyz I get a message that starts:

This page can’t be displayed

•Make sure the web address http://alsmbcdlocal is correct. ...

What am I missing?

Answer 1

Is the first # sign in your hosts file commenting out the whole line? It's not mapping xyz to 127.0.0.1.

Fresh eyes are a WHOLE lot of help sometimes. I was almost hesitant to post that as a comment. :)

Answer 2

Did you remove the # sign?

It should show

127.0.0.1 xyz instead of # 127.0.0.1 xyz

the # is to comment. :)