Problems installing Apache server on Windows Vista

Server Config
1

Hello,

I’m a complete novice, so I hope that I don’t annoy you with silly questions! This is my first post.

I’ve purchased the “Build Your Own Database Driven Website Using PSP & MySQL”. I easily installed the MySQL database on my 32 bit, Windows Vista Home version.

I’ve attempted to install the latest version of the Apache server and I’m having issues. The installation appears to go well, however when it’s completed this is what I get:

  1. In the system tray, the icon. First of all it looks nothing like the icon shown in the book, looks more like a target with a feather attached to it. When I hover over it it says “No services installed”.

  2. When I click on it, I get the Apache Service Monitor. There is nothing in the “Services Status” area. The Start, Stop, Restart and Disconnect buttons are not available. The OK, Services, Connect and Exit buttons are available.

When I click on the services button, first I get the “Windows needs your permission to continue” box with the following information:

Microsoft Management Console
Microsoft Windows
“C:\Windows\system32\mmc.exe”
“C:\Windows\system32\services.msc”/s

I give the permission, then get a “Services” list, no Apache to be found. (I do find MySQL, however).

Then I click on “Connect” and get a “Connect to a remote computer” dialog box. I input my computer name (network name). The box goes away and nothing happens. I also tried putting the name of the other computer on the network. I got the same response…or lack thereof.

  1. To test, as per the instructions in the book. I open Mozilla and go to "http://localhost:8080 and get an error page. This is the information I get:

Unable to connect
Firefox can’t establish a connection to the server at localhost:8080
* The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
moments.

*   If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
      connection.

*   If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
      that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

I don’t have IIS (at least I can’t seem to locate it on my machine). But, just in case I decided to use port 8080. Also, while downloading on the “Server Information Screen”, the book tells me that since I’m using it for development purposes it doesn’t matter what I put there.

I will uninstall and try to install on port 80. I will let you know if it solves the issue. Otherwise, if someone could steer me in the right direction I would really appreciate it!

Oh yes, I’m using the Windows Firewall along with Avast anti-virus. I don’t know if that matters, but thought I’d mention it. Hope I’ve provided enough information. I had screenshots prepared, but I have to post 5 times before I can do that.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

Mahea

I uninstalled and tried again only to get the same thing.

Please let me know if you need more information, understanding, please, that you may have to describe to me how to get it.

Thanks!

Mahea

2

Does this help?
Specifically look at the comment about Skype.
That actually solved the problem I had with Apache (win7 ultimate N/x64)

3

Thank you so much. I am giving it a try. I do have a question though, I’m not sure how to find out what items might be using port 80. I don’t have Skype, and I don’t think I have IIS. I don’t know how to check. Sorry, it’s probably easy as pie. Just very illiterate!

Thanks in advance!

Mahea

4

Mahea,

Sorry for the delay in responding.

WELCOME to SitePoint and the Apache forum!

I don’t have access to W7 but, with XP, I had to look in the services panel (Start | Run and type services.msc | Enter) to see that M$ had installed IIS on Port 80 and that it was running as of Windows load. To install Apache on port 80, I had to STOP IIS and change the properties of the IIS service to require a manual start (UNcheck the start on Windows load).

Other typical problems are in not using 127.0.0.1 as the IP address and not using a properly formatted e-mail address.

Thanks ScallioXTX for your input. I have heard of a problem with Skype but have never been able to confirm it on my system (despite my heavy use of Skype).

Regards,

DK

5

Gave up, too busy to mess with it. I’m in the process of installing WampServer 2.0.

Thanks for all your help. The link that you provided didn’t help. I could never get it to install correctly. Hopefully this will solve my problem as I’m using it as a development tool.

Appreciate the quick response and kindess!

=)

Mahea

6

The problem only appears if Skype is started before Apache is started.
Also, I’m on a NAT network, that might change things. For direct connections Skype probably won’t fall back to port 80 (not sure about this though).