Apache Friends Support Forum

Hello,
I'd like to try to use XAMPP on WinXP to just do some tests of webpage written in php+mysql. I would prefer also to download zipped file and just unpack it, not running setup of installer.

By looking at descriptions of each package (XAMPP Windows vs XAMPP USB Lite) I've noticed that the second version hasn't got these modules: Webalizer, Mercury Mail Transport System, FileZilla nor Tomcat. As I probably have no need for any of them I decided that XAMPP USB Lite would be more suitable for me (but I'm just guessing here, any advice do I need them for my task?).

But here I've encountered some problem with lack of information: I couldn't find any info if I am able to unpack XAMPP USB Lite version on my hard drive as other programs in some subdirectory? Or this version is only for USB sticks / root directories and I need to install / unpack full version instead? If I need full, is there possibility to delete not needed modules from it after installation?

The Lite version will run on basically the same machines as the full package.

If you want to 'try both', you could install the Lite version top say "c:\xampp_lite" and the full version to "c:\xampp". There would only be the matter that you really could only run one version at a time.

The full version also runs fine on a UBS stick as well, with only a few limitations, and they are minimal. I have a full version I carry around, quite handy.

Good Luck

JonB wrote:The Lite version will run on basically the same machines as the full package.

Thank you for clarify.

I'm guessing now, that after download/unpack of lite version I should normally run setup_xampp.bat, right? Like for full installer.
I am asking, because in internet guides for this version I've found many times "do not run setup_xampp.bat" statement.

I believe you do not need to run setup_xampp.bat for the lite version because it has been modified to use relative paths.

Then why this setup_xampp.bat file is included in this lite version? What is it for?

The main task of this file is to relocate the components if moved or not installed in the default directory.
The default environment for the USB Lite versions is not on normal harddisks, but you can sure use it there too. Thats why the file is included in the USB versions too, i think.

best wishes,
Altrea

As i said, as of 1.7.7 USB version, the paths have all been changed to relative out of the box. Previous to 1.7.7, you needed to run the setup_xampp.bat file to change the paths in all the configuration files to relative paths. Since there are not hardcoded paths by default now, you should be able to just extract it to your USB device and run it. That said, it will probably not hurt anything if you do run the setup_xampp.bat file but it should not be necessary anymore. Glancing at the install script that it runs, it appears that it also has functionality to add the required lines to configuration files for additional addons like Java or Python and that may be why it is still there.

The setup_xampp.bat file is only required to be run if installing to a non portable (fixed drive) XAMPP installation as it will add the full path including the drive letter to all XAMPP system files (just as in a normal XAMPP installation) thus making the installation non portable.

It is not required to be run if installing to a portable device and never was.

The readme_en.txt file in the xampp folder will also explain this.

It is therefore possible to run the lite version in a fixed drive installation if required or in a portable device if required by running or not running the xampp_setup.bat file.

It is also possible to run the full XAMPP version in a fixed drive or partition if required or in a portable device if required by running or not running the setup_xampp.bat file.

In XAMPP version 1.7.3 this setup_xampp.bat file had a much more pronounced roll to play and was coded but source and copyright protected by a previous developer Carsten Wiedmann and is why it is no longer used in that more useful form.

Best wishes.