Hopeing someone can help.....

I've set up a full server configuration on my windows XP Pro machine using the recent server package at apachefriends.org

It all seems to work..... however, my question is, what the turkey do I do now?

Where do I put scripts, webpages, excedra to test?
I've tried say http://localhost/phpBB2/config.php with the phpBB2 file in the C: root or in the wampp2c folder etc....
Of course with the Apache server and MYSQL running.

Anyway, I'm lost as to how to get things going now.
Can anyone help?

Thanks.....

It was a while ago that I set up apache on Windows, but IIRC there is an htdocs directory under Apache somewhere. That is the default for putting pages for the server. You should be able to change it in the config file tho.

Any particular reason you are running Apache on a Win XP Pro machine? If you just wanted a server, then IIS 5 is available... I can't remember if it was part of a default installation - but it will be on the CD if not. Personally I've found IIS easier to work with than Apache - but thats just me. Is Apache run as a service now? If not, you'll need to start the server before it will respond to resquests for local addresses.

If you were running IIS 5, you'd put your files in the c:\Inetpub\wwwroot\ - a little tweaking would allow you to run scripts in a real or virtual directory.

I've currently got IIS 5, running PHP and MySQL (self install packages direct from the distributors). Works a treat and lets me figure out how ASP and MySQL work together, something I never used to think was possible... I don't remember having difficulties with installation, but then I'm quite familiar with using IIS for testing... forget what it was like to install my first local server (but I do remember it was either Apache or Xitami)...

I was just told that this is the way you want to do things if you want to set up a testing server on your puter.

Yes, your right it is the htdocs folder, I was able to go to the phpbb install screen at http://localhost/phpBB2/install.php, now we shall see if it works.

As far as the other thing that comes with windows, never heard of it, but yes, with the Apache and the MySQL you have to start the services.

Anyway, I'm going to try the settup and see if it works.
Anyone have any other thoughts....?

Thanks

Ok, quick question. Is your host a Windows host or a Unix host? If it is Unix/Linux then chances are you will be using Apache - so your current set up is the right way to go. If its Windows, then you're likely to be hosting using Microsoft Internet Information Services 5 (IIS 5) - in which case I'd recommend you set up and use IIS. The reason is simple, the closer your testing environment to your real hosting environment, the less tweaking you have to do when you publish, not to mention the fact that it will reduce the chances of you running into unexpected problems when you upload.

If you are hosting your own site, then choose what is best for you - although IIS is automatically started when you boot up the machine (when installed)... Also bear in mind that if you want to move to a new server, Apache on Windows is rarer than Apache on Unix/Linux... and there are subtle differences in the implementation which could break scripts when going from one platform to another.

yes, it's a Unix host..... I've been able to install the phpbb forum fully, and it seems to be working.
Although the mail function does not work, how do you think I could set that up to test?
The apachefriends full setup has "blatmail", don't know if I can use that to test peoples registration, anyway....

Also, was wondering if anyone might have some ideas for the problem I'm having.
I've installed a phpbb 2.01 over writing it with a phpbb fully modded version both localally installed and remotely.
Now everything seems to be fine, but it has a photo gallery and whether locally or remotely I can't upload a photo.
It just asks for me to reloggin, which it's not supposed to, and then after clicking "add" to upload the image, it just takes me back to the main portal page, instead of uploading the image.
This occurs both locally and remotely.....

The weird thing is that the gallery works fine at the developers site, and apparently possibly with others configuration.

I've deleted cookies, temp files, disabled filewalls etc, to no avail.

I'm no thinking that maybe there is something corrupted maybe in the script I have, or something.
What do you all think.....?

Also, is it correct theortically that I could setup my site completly locally, and then just upload it as is fully to my remote host?
Of course, changing names and settings, as well I would have to create the database tables right?

Can all that be done easily?

Thanks for any thoughts.....

I've not experience with the actual script, but the problem you are having with sending mail is one of the biggest cross platform web scripting issues there is. Unix doesn't have blatmail - Windows doesn't have sendmail... best way to get it working is to configure it to work for your live server and leave it, forget about getting it to work locally.

About your theory about server setup - what works locally will not necessarily work on the server. You can minimise the number of changes you make by naming your local files and directories in the same way - but that cross platform issue is always going to get in the way. You'll never be able to upload and have your mail work on both local and remote servers without having to make changes I'm afraid.