need help on IIS install on XP professional

i installed IIS 5.1 on XP professional. but the only way i can see http://localhost is when I'm connected to the Internet. When I'm not, all I see is the usual Page cannot be displayed.

Is this normal, or there's something wrong?

I am a total beginner. I need your help.

Thanks.

well, it's normal (for microsoft, these problems come as normal)

i had the same on my notebook and found out that other persons also had the same. if i recall correct, i fixed it by changing my internet options (in the connections section, choose never dial a connection + in the general section, change the homepage to a http://localhost/ page )
you than still have to hit the "work offline" and "retry" buttons every time ...

Hi,
Also try checking Your proxy server settings. If You have a proxy does it bypass local addresses?
And: in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc there's a file named 'hosts'. Open it in a text editor and check if the line
127.0.0.1 localhost
is there.

Alex

thx raf & Alekz for pointing me in the right direction. It's working now.

here's what i did, for those who might be having similar problems in the future:

in "Tools/Internet Options/Connections/LAN Settings" of IE, uncheck the Proxy Server.

If this doesnt work, follow what raf and Alekz pointed out.

I appreciate the help guys.:)