[solved]Apache issue, Windows Server 2003

[curiousrob]

Hi,
I’m entirely new to building a web host so I hope you will bear with my naivety.

I’m unable to see the default web page after installation using 127.0.0.1/index.html
I have installed with Xampp 1.7.7 from the installer package on a fully updated new install of Windows Server 2003, the firewall is disabled and IIS is not present.
Xampp is set to start as a service using the system account & when I use XAMPP manager to start Apache it confirms Apache Started [Port 80]. There are no files in the apache\logs folder

When I start XAMPP I see the info:
XAMPP Control Panel Version 2.5
Windows 5.2 Build 3790 Platform 2 Service Pack 2
Current Directory: C:\xampp
Install(er) Directory: c:\xampp
WARN:This program must be run from your XAMPP root directory.
INFO:Perhaps this program running on a 64 bit platform please ignore the message above.

I am running the server as virtual machine in a VMWare shell, fairly confident it is 32 bit not 64 but open to suggestions on that, too.
I have noted a posted entry regarding Visual C++ redistributable being a requirement & have installed the 2010 version

Filezilla and mySQL both appear as services with MySQL automatically starting on boot, both appear ticked in the XAMPP control panel. Apache does not appear as a service and is not initially ticked in the XAMPP control panel.

I have installed the Beta package for XAMPP control panel [extracting an copying over the initial install] and the interface provides more information.
There are no log files appearing under the apache folders.

In the Windows Event log there are 2 entries I think are relevent but I do not understand:

Event Type:Error; Event Source: SideBySide; Event Category: None
Event ID: 59; Date: 01/05/2012; Time: 18:05:37; User:N/A
Computer: STANDARD
Description:
Generate Activation Context failed for C:\xampp\apache\bin\httpd.exe. Reference error message: The referenced assembly is not installed on your system.

And
Event Type: Error; Event Source: SideBySide; Event Category: None
Event ID: 59; Date: 01/05/2012; Time: 18:23:41; User: N/A
Computer: STANDARD
Description:
Resolve Partial Assembly failed for Microsoft.VC90.CRT. Reference error message: The referenced assembly is not installed on your system.

Please can you suggest a next step for me.
Thank you.

[Altrea]

Hi curiousrob,

Please try the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) not the 2010 version.

best wishes,
Altrea

[curiousrob]

Hi Altrea

"It Works!"

- I must learn to resist the shiny and new offerings from Redmond.

Thank you very much