Localhost won't open (Windows Vista 64)

[nordinbobbe]

Hello to all of you experienced web developers and such!

I have recently downloaded Xampp with the latest control panel (v.3.1.0.3.1.0) in order to work on my own Wordpress themes, locally. I do not really have any experience with working on Apache servers and local mysql databases but im eager to learn. I have susccesfully managed to install Xammp, incl. Apache and Mysql, and everything seems to be in order and to be up and running. But, i can't get any access to my localhost in the browser.

I have read similiar posts on this forum and on other sites but nothing seems to get help me in my case. It feels like I have tried everything (in reality I guess there are a million more ways to proceed to the problem) but nothing works. I'm gonna try to explain the problem as detailed as possible, and also show all of the possible solutions that I have tried (without any sucess).

Also, excuse my english, i do not have a automatic spelling-check in my browser.

So, in context, this is my problem: when i type in "localhost" in my browser it just keeps loading. I have tried it in Chrome, Firefox and Explorer. No difference. I have also tried to type in "127.0.0.1" but it just keeps on loading.

Small detectives note: if I turn off Apache in the Xampp control panel, while the browser is loading localhost i get the typical "browser can't find page"-page.

- I have tried the following in order to solve the problem but without any result:

-Changed the info in the HOSTS-file. I followed this guide: http://www.lancelhoff.com/how-to-access-localhost-in-vista/ NOTE: when I opened the folder who was supposed to contain the HOSTS file (windows/system32/drivers/etc) it wasn't there. I had to create the file by myself. I have done that manually and also by using HostsXpert (http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Security-Related/Hoster.shtml).

- This is the info i get from the Control Panel:

Code: Select all

22:19:16  [main]    Initializing Control Panel
22:19:16  [main]    Windows Version: Windows Vista SP2 64-bit
22:19:16  [main]    XAMPP Version: 1.8.1
22:19:16  [main]    Control Panel Version: 3.1.0 3.1.0 [ Compiled: September 20th 2012 ]
22:19:16  [main]    Running with Administrator rights - good!
22:19:16  [main]    XAMPP Installation Directory: "c:\xampp\"
22:19:16  [main]    Checking for prerequisites
22:19:16  [main]    All prerequisites found
22:19:16  [main]    Initializing Modules
22:19:16  [main]    Starting Check-Timer
22:19:16  [main]    Control Panel Ready
22:19:20  [Apache]    Attempting to start Apache app...
22:19:21  [Apache]    Status change detected: running
22:19:25  [mysql]    Attempting to start MySQL app...
22:19:25  [mysql]    Status change detected: running


Everything alright there?

- This is what the Netstat tells me (I have only copied what I belive is important information. No conflicting ports):

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Address:    Port:      PID:       Name:
0.0.0.0      80          5628      httpd.exe
0.0.0.0      443        5628      httpd.exe
0.0.0.0      3306      5696      c:\xampp\mysql\bin\mysqld.exe


BUT, when I try to load "localhost" in my browser I also get this in Netstat:

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Address:    Port:     PID:        Name:
127.0.0.1   80         5628      httpd.exe


I hope this information is helpfull.

- This is my system specs:

Windows Vista Home Premium
Service Pack 2
64-bit

So, can anyone help me to open "localhost" (getting to the xampp dashboard-page)? I have read somewhere that Xampp wont work on Vista 64. Is switching operative system the solution?

I would appriciate any help I can get!

Peace out!

[nordinbobbe]

I've looked a bit more into in the above case. Can it be something wrong with my IIS-settings? I'm not really shure which boxes who are supposed to be checked.

Once again thankful for any help I can get.

[nordinbobbe]

ok, trying to keep my request/question alive...

I still have'nt narrowed the problem down (as far as i know, with limited skills).

I have disabled IIS, checked my Proxy settings over and over again, checked the ports, changed the HOSTS file info back and forth...

I have seen similiar posts on this and other forums and I have tried all of the suggested solutions but nothing works.

Anyone?

[JonB]

have you tried http://127.0.0.1 ??

if that works, you need to add a line to your hosts file

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127.0.0.1    localhost

[nordinbobbe]

Hi JonB!

Yup, tried that, didn't work.

I have added that line to the HOSTS file as well.

Tried to change ports now, didn't work either.

can the problem have something to do with the fact that the HOST file did'nt exist when I checked the folder the first time (never been there before)? I had to create the file.

[nordinbobbe]

Here I go again with my newbie speculations.

With my basic (that might be a huge understatement) knowledge of server and database configuration and troubleshooting I have listed some of the “possible” factors that might have something to do with my case:

- the HOSTS file

- Proxy settings

- IIS

- IPv6 (or is that included under IIS?)

- …and everything else that I know nothing about

I really, really, really want localhost up and running so I can get into the part where I actually get to use it.
I have already learned a lot about Apache and localhost settings through all this troubleshooting. More than I bargained for…

[Altrea]

Hi nordinbobbe,

- the HOSTS file
[...]
- IPv6 (or is that included under IIS?)

If http://127.0.0.1/ didn't work either, you can cut these two out.

But you missed four important possible issues:

• Security Software
• Malware
• corrupted Windows libraries
• Browser settings

I haven't answered this thread before because for me the issue is fully intransparent. It can be anything.
If i were you, i would start with a complete fresh system to have an base environment which is assessable.

best wishes,
Altrea

[nordinbobbe]

If i were you, i would start with a complete fresh system to have an base environment which is assessable.

Hi. Well I guess that was what I expected. Thanks for your input.