Unable to start Apache with PHP 5.6.40

[Always_learning]

Hi All,

I have downloaded the latest version of XAMPP (8.2.0) which comes with PHP 8.0 and is running successfully. However the sites I'm looking to emulate for historical purposes require PHP 5.6.40.

To downgrade to this version I have undertaken the following steps,

1. Downloaded PHP 5.6.40 from here - https://windows.php.net/downloads/releases/archives/
2. Renamed the PHP folder in /xampp to PHP8
3. Creates a new folder in /xampp called PHP and extracted the PHP 5.6.40 files into this folder.

Then I opened /xampp/apache/conf/extra/httpd-xampp.conf and changed

Code: Select all

LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/php8ts.dll"
LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/libpq.dll"
LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/libsqlite3.dll"
LoadModule php_module "C:/xampp/php/php8apache2_4.dll"

to

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LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/php5ts.dll"
LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/libpq.dll"
LoadFile "C:/xampp/php/libsqlite3.dll"
LoadModule php_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

I then attempt to start Apache and receive the following error,

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1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly.
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies,
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method.
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    Press the Logs button to view error logs and check
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    the Windows Event Viewer for more clues
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    If you need more help, copy and post this
1:28:09 PM  [Apache]    entire log window on the forums

However, the apache error logs are empty, and the PHP error log shows "the system cannot find the specified path"

If I rename the PHP folder to PHP5 and rename PHP8 to PHP - Apache starts correctly (and generates some errors due to the web application not being PHP 8 compatible so this is fine)

Any suggestions on a step I may have missed would be appreciated.

[Altrea]

Hi,

try to start Apache as console application by executing apache_start.bat to get at least any helpful error message.

[Always_learning]

Hi Altrea,

Many thanks for the response and I had found this suggestion in the forums (I was unable to post a follow up until my post was approved - thank you for approving this.)

This is the error I am receiving,

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httpd.exe: Syntax error on line 537 of C:/xampp/apache/conf/httpd.conf: Syntax error on line 20 of C:/xampp/apache/conf/extra/httpd-xampp.conf: Can't locate API module structure `php_module' in file C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll: No error

Line 537,

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# XAMPP settings
Include "conf/extra/httpd-xampp.conf"

Line 20,

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LoadModule php_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

Hmm this file exists in the correct directory so I'm a little confused as to why it's not working.

[Always_learning]

Hmm I can see a bug report here,

https://community.apachefriends.org/f/viewtopic.php?p=270733&sid=b50110c27255ebb133be3d9b67a178fc#p270731

But it appears the version I have downloaded already has the update applied.

[Nobbie]

You are mixing 64bit Xampp installation with 32bit DLLs from your download, that does not work.

[Always_learning]

You are mixing 64bit Xampp installation with 32bit DLLs from your download, that does not work.

This is the version I downloaded,

php-5.6.40-Win32-VC11-x64

This is the 64 bit version correct?

[Altrea]

wrong

LoadModule php_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

correct

LoadModule php5_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

[Always_learning]

wrong

LoadModule php_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

correct

LoadModule php5_module "C:/xampp/php/php5apache2_4.dll"

Brilliant, thank you for your kind assistance!

[Altrea]

you are welcome

[Nobbie]

php-5.6.40-Win32-VC11-x64

This is the 64 bit version correct?

"Win32"? I dont know, you should ask the provider of the files.