Problem with /etc/hosts on FreeBSD 5.1….???

[s4021760 at student.uq.edu.au]

Hi,
  I just loaded freeBSD 5.1 and ran into some trouble....I have edited 
the /etc/hosts file to show the required name....but when I boot up the system 
hangs and gives the message "...My unspecified name is BLAA......Sleeping for 
retry" It comes out of this loop if I hit ^C. I have shutoff the name server 
thinking that it may be trying to assign a new IP to the system. Also ifconfig 
is showing the required setting to be correct for the interface. What am I 
doing wrong....I am using a 3COM n/w card. I would be grateful for any help.

Thanks
Abhay