Removing the hosts entries should at least allow you to reach the previously-blocked sites. I'd make sure to run the lastest version of your anti-virus, as well as Ad Aware, SpyBot, HijackThis, etc. to make sure you're clean; whatever altered your hosts file is probably still lurking in your system.
I'll have to get back to you on the shutdown problem later...
"May the Wombat of Happiness snuffle through your underbrush."
- Ancient Aborigine blessing
Please do not contact me by email or PM for help. We're all volunteers here, and only have so much free time to dedicate to our efforts.
However, if I've been working on a thread with you already, and seem to have "forgotten" your thread, please do send me a message. I try not to let things slip through the cracks, but it does happen sometimes.