Beginner Local Host problem

dranfu

Hi Guys/Gals,

I'm a newbie with php, and I have a simple problem. I have installed apache on WIndows Xp. According to the tutorial I'm following, after installing apache I should be able to type http://localhost into my web browser and see a web page that reads "...if you can read this, then apache was installed successfully."

Unfortunately, when I type in http://localhost, I get a prompt to enter a username and a password. I have not set up a password for localhost, and I have no idea what it might be

How do I reslove this problem?

I am using Windows XP Professional as the Operating System
I am using Firefox as the web browser

jignesh1

check and see if u dont have the .htacess file in ur server root directory

scrupul0us

how did u install apache? did u use a bundled package from a third party site or did u use the MSI from apache.org?

i am in agreeance with jig, check your docroot for a .htaccess or check your httpd.conf and see if the docroot is protected with Auth

Houdini

Or go to Plan B and get XAMPP then run the install accepting all the default suggestions and you'll be running PHP within 5 minutes. Just click the last link in my signature to get XAMPP for your OS.

scrupul0us

see the problem with XAMPP is its like running red hat linux.. by using it you really learn nothing... if your afraid to get dirty this early in the game then what hope do you have for more advanced topics or features

before you go the way of the lazy try to figure it out... youll be glad u did

i for one struggled with apache for the first year i used it... opening the httpd.conf file required a guide and a torch to lead me down the path... but b/c i stuck with it i understand the basics very well and am not intimidated by problems or expansions

leatherback

scrupul0us wrote:
see the problem with XAMPP is its like running red hat linux.. by using it you really learn nothing... if your afraid to get dirty this early in the game then what hope do you have for more advanced topics or features

before you go the way of the lazy try to figure it out... youll be glad u did

i for one struggled with apache for the first year i used it... opening the httpd.conf file required a guide and a torch to lead me down the path... but b/c i stuck with it i understand the basics very well and am not intimidated by problems or expansions

Then again for MOST users there is NO NEED to understand the intricacies of the apache server, and if you just want to built sites WHICH WILL BE HOSTED SOMEWHERE ELSE you really could just look into pre-installed packages. I am running easyphp, which I like. Once you have some experience with working with them, you can always decide to upgrade bits and pieces.

Playing for a year with apache to get it running ideally is fine if it is your hobby. If you just need to get a dev. server up and running, why bother. It is the same discussion as we have seen on the echo lounge, regarding windows vss linux. If you want something to work on, windows is great. If you have higher demands, windows will tick you off. The same with the pre-compiled dev. serfver packages. Great for use. Horrible if you want to tincker with the server operations

scrupul0us

i guess i agree 100% with you

for the everyday avg user, a quick-n-dirty package works... maybe its just that ive always been the kid that not only uses the drill, but takes it apart to see how it works

and i also agree on the linux vs. windows

i had been serving on a 2k box forever... why? b/c mail was easy to use... didnt have to toy with sendmail... the downside? firewalls, anti-virus, security holes all made for a sluggish box that wasnt really secure....

i finally decided to get off the couch and get slackware running (which im now seeing isnt my style) and now moving to ubuntu... sure it might be a PITA to get going the first few times... but everytime u fall on your face u learn something else (especially if you are documenting the setup) and in the end ive learned how to do alot more

but thats just me 🙂

bradgrafelman

leatherback wrote:
Then again for MOST users there is NO NEED to understand the intricacies of the apache server

No need? Maybe. No benefit? Definitely not.

Sure, maybe the average user doesn't need to learn "the intricacies of the apache server" (though I don't think installing Apache, PHP, and MySQL deal with any intricacies at all, truthfully) but what about reading a guide and following instructions? Seems like a darned handy skill to have and practice, if you ask me.

shrug Just my 2 cents on why I've never recommended XAMPP and the likes.