Apache Friends Support Forum

First, let me say that I did read the FAQ, and saw that the most common cause of this issue is Firewall related. But after disabling the firewall, Apache still refuses to start. I also checked to make sure that nothing else is running on port 80 (such as Skype) and there doesn't appear to be anything else using it.

Any ideas of what I should try next?
Scotty

Hello Scotty,

Which XAMPP version?
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48331
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=32670

Use the new xampp-control-3-beta.exe control panel in the xampp folder as it will give a better reading of why Apache can't start.

Also use the Netstat button to find what is using port 80 and port 443 as either of these ports in use will prevent Apache from starting.

Did you look in the Apache error log for clues?
\xampp\apache\logs\error.log

If there is no Apache error log file then Apache has never started, as it creates the file and makes entries every time it starts and stops.

I'm using version 1.1.7. There doesn't appear to be an Apache error log, and according to the Netstat page, there are no other processes using ports 80 or 443. Thanks for the help so far, it's much appreciated.

Try a reboot as often this solves some strange issues with XP.

Let me know back if you still have this issue also do you use ZoneAlarm or similar security apps?

Doesn't seem to have changed anything. And I don't have any antivirus or security apps installed that I can see.

What did the log window of the version 3 control panel say, you could paste the xampp-control-3-beta.log file from the xampp folder after running the control panel3.

OK, Make sure that both Apache and MySQL are Stopped.

Uninstall the services by clicking on the ticks and answering yes.

All ticks should be grayed out now and nothing running.

Please let me know when you get to this state - I will be here for a while yet so we can work through this using the CP3.

Okay, what now? And thanks again for the help.

Your welcome.

Now try and Start Apache and MySQL but do not tick any of the service boxes.

MySQL starts, but Apache does not. Just says "Starting Apache App.." and doesn't do anything.

Next go to the Win-Services button and look for a Apache2.2 entry in the list.

Let me know if you find one.

Tis not there.

Ok, This is strange and may be we should try a different method of installing XAMPP instead of using the installer exe file.

Follow these instructions for using the 7zip or zip version to replace this version as there may be some issue that was caused by the buggy installer.
viewtopic.php?p=179699#p179699

I will still be here for sometime get and we must get you moving forward.

If after using the archived method you still have the issue then it is definitely not an XAMPP issue but something blocking Apache on your PC.

It's not letting me delete some files. I get an access denied error. :/