Absolutely Desperate Newbie

[JohnM]

Sorry to be a nuisance on my first visit.
I have downloaded and installed XAMPP via the "installer" option . All seemed well. If I try to start Apache or MySQL with the .bat files, The window opens then closes within a split second. Just can't get any further. Unfortunately I live in a part of the UK where there are no courses available that I can take. I have to try to teack myself which I have done quite successfully with Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks including full CSS and W3C validated pages. Can you point me to a manual or text file that might help please. I do not expect you to talk me through the process.
Many Thanks
John Mitchell

[MacDaddy]

read the topics under the download section of this page

http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html

and also : http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.0/

http://www.php.net/manual/en/

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/

the more you read the more you will know

[JohnM]

Thank you for the reponse. I have in fact read all of these documents at some length before but I am still unable to get any further with the XAMPP. I have deleted and reistalled XAMPP and the Apache window reads: "(OS 10048) Only one usage of each socket address is normally permitted(make_sock) could not bind to address 0.0.0.0.80. No listening sockets available. shutting down.
Unable to open logs.
Now we are starting Apache 2 net is not recognised Press any key to continue."
I press a key and it shuts down. Back to square 1.
Could anyone help me just overcome this hurdle please? Do I have to change the "Port" for Apache. If so how and to what number? I know I face a huge learning curve but I have the time, patience and determination to succeed but I need to have the system working first so that I can test my efforts as I go along.
Please spare a minute for a silver surfer!!!!!
Thanks
John Mitchell

[Wiedmann]

Port 80 is in use, so Apache can not start. (Port 80 = default port for webaccess: http)
--> close the program that use this port.

[JohnM]

Thanks - did that but now I get "Error" the requested operation has failed" when I try to start Apache
Am now even more lost. Have I used the wrong system to get started on this subject? Any help and/or suggestions most gratefully recd
JohnM

[fetloser]

Hi!

Are you on XP/W2K?

If so, did you start them from their respective folders? (Apache/Mysql)
I think those are the ones ment for installing apache/mysql as a service.

If you want to see what the heck the .bat files do. Simply drag them to a command window (start--->run--->cmd "enter")

/Another newbie

Sorry to be a nuisance on my first visit.
I have downloaded and installed XAMPP via the "installer" option . All seemed well. If I try to start Apache or MySQL with the .bat files, The window opens then closes within a split second. Just can't get any further. Unfortunately I live in a part of the UK where there are no courses available that I can take. I have to try to teack myself which I have done quite successfully with Dreamweaver, Flash and Fireworks including full CSS and W3C validated pages. Can you point me to a manual or text file that might help please. I do not expect you to talk me through the process.
Many Thanks
John Mitchell

[JohnM]

Tried that, now get "System cannot find the path specified" Have checked and the path is correct!
It gets worse!!!!!
JohnM

[JohnM]

Thanks to all who have tried to help but Apache caused a "Fatal Error" in my system and I have spent the last three hours reconfiguring all my broadband setup. (Not an easy task on BT)
I wonder as this "Install" option seems so new has anybody else tried to use it yet? I feel I have done everything to the instructions and have no success, indeed quite the opposite.
Any Comments
Regards
John Mitchell

[JohnM]

Thank you for all the help but regretfully it has all been to no avail. The only way I can get the system to work is to disconnect my broadband connection completely which I can't afford to do. There seems to be a conflict between XAMPP and BT's Broadband software!
So will have to rethink the situation
JohnM

[totalshredder]

John,

You could go into httpd.conf and change the port from 80 to another number, like 81, as long as nothing is using it.

-Luke

[JohnM]

Luke
Thanks - tried that and it helped but still can't open Apache and if I try the http://localhost all I get is the standard "The Page cannot be displayed" message.
John

[MacDaddy]

JohnM is Apache running in your task manager when your trying to connect to http://localhost im sure it is but .. and also you say your ISP or Broadband software has a conflict with Apache have you tryed installing Apache from http://httpd.apache.org ? if so is it the same . and also have you tryed to forwardports to your router ?

[JohnM]

MacDaddy
Thanks - yes Apache is in my Task manager. I have deleted the XamPP and installed Apached via the .msi download file. Same results. Not sure what is meant by

and also have you tryed to forwardports to your router ?

Thanks for help as ever
JohnM

[Killerfrog]

Hello,

I suggest you try theses steps :

1) Destroy the current installation by uninstalling and deleting all folders.
2) Make a clean install
3) Edit "httpd.conf" with wordpad located in C:\apachefriends\xampp\apache\conf
3.1) In the file, hit "F3" to search for "80".
3.2) Replace line "Listen 80" by "Listen 8080" (or any port you want)
4) Run "apache_installservice.bat" located in C:\apachefriends\xampp\apache
5) Run "mysql_installservice.bat" located in C:\apachefriends\xampp\mysql
6) Go in internet explorer and hit http://localhost:8080/
7) Put all files of your website in a subfolder created in C:\apachefriends\xampp\htdocs
8 ) In internet explorer hit http://localhost:8080/webfolder where "webfolder" is the folder you've created with all your website content

Good Luck

[JohnM]

Killerfrog
Thanks
Will try this and report back later
JohnM