Apache WILL NOT start (Win7 64 Pro) 1.7.7 [SOLVED]

[lamp]

I have spent the last 5 hours trying EVERYTHING to get Apache to start on my machine (Windows 7 Pro) running XAMPP 1.7.7 (installed here: C:\xampp\). I have spent hours searching on Google for a solution and in these forums.

When i press "Start" it says "Apache starter port 80" but nothing else happens.

Things ive tried:
I have installed XAMPP here: C:\xampp\
I have closed skype (it is not running at all).
Changed port in apache from port 80 to port 8666
I have tried to find an error log but cannot find one anywhere?
People suggest using the xamp-portcheck.exe tool but there isn't one anywhere in the xampp folder???!!
I uninstalled mcafee antivirus
I turned off windows firewall
Ticked SVC
Ticked SVC and then restarted PC
Turned off User Account Control

I have been a long time user of WAMP and Apache starts just fine in WAMP so long as a close skype first. But i need to use XAMPP for a book i'm learning from.

I'm pulling my hair out!

How do i run a port check on Windows 7 Pro to see if another program is using the port? How do i get to error logs to see if it states the problem?

Please help

[hackattack142]

Try installing this: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/de ... px?id=5582

These are required to run programs built with Visual C++ 2008.

[Sharley]

Use the new version control panel xampp-control-3 beta.exe found in the xampp folder then click on the Netstat button to check the ports.

It also has many other useful features and an updated version can be download from this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48932

Best wishes.

[lamp]

Use the new version control panel xampp-control-3 beta.exe found in the xampp folder then click on the Netstat button to check the ports.

It also has many other useful features and an updated version can be download from this topic:
http://community.apachefriends.org/f/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48932

Best wishes.

OMG. It works now! Here's the solution if anyone else has the same problem and is about to gouge there eyes out with frustration because apache wont start:

For people with same problem. I read in another forum that a program called Pando was the problem but didnt know which process Pando was in order to close it. I just pressed ctrl+alt+del pressed "stask task manager" and closed the process PMB.exe and now i can connect.

10:38:49 AM [apache] Possible problem detected: Port 443 in use by "c:\program files (x86)\pando networks\media booster\pmb.exe"!
10:38:49 AM [main] Starting check-timer
10:40:38 AM [apache] Starting apache app...
10:40:38 AM [apache] Status change detected: running

But question for Sharley: Pando uses Port 443.... NOT port 80 so what is going on here?

[Sharley]

Apache uses port 80 and port 443 and both need to be free for Apache to start.

So you can now return your httpd.conf file back to the default state using port 80 or you may have issues in future.

After Apache has started successfully for the first time it will create it's log files in C:\xampp\apache\logs folder and the error.log file has entries created when Apache starts and when it is stopped.


Some useful reading that may help you help us to find suitable solutions:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48331
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=32670

I will close this topic now and mark it solved.

Best wishes.