Install a webserver on your PC

If you run XP pro IIS is available in Windows setup or download Apache and install that

Before I should do so, tell me, how do you guys go about editing and viewing your work before you post in on the web? Do you use an HTML editor to edit? If so, then what do you use to view your changes if not an IE browser?

In-house webserver(s) and several browsers installed on various machines

I searched the net and found this tutorial for installing Apache webserver:

http://webdesign.about.com/cs/apache...tapachewin.htm

but almost at the end of the installation a DOS window appears and stays there even after 30 minutes, how long is it supposed to take to install this please? I am running Vista Home.

I am wondering if Apache was installed succesfully after all. I am seeing it in the system tray and when I open it, an Apache Service Monitor box appears, is this correct?

That's how it works on my machine.

Thanks, so then all I need now is to figure how to use it, I looked at all the files in the apache folder but I can't seem to find any instructional docs on this, any links or can you tell me the exact name of the doc in the apache folder on your pc please?

HTML files go into the htdocs directory on my computer, then they can be accessed by localhost:// . This is a very common configuration.

I found some instructions for Apache. I uninstalled the version I had in order to start from scratch with a fresh installation but this time when I click on the download file I am getting a page with gibberish on it and not the regular download option:

http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi

This is the file I am being advised to download:

Win32 Binary without crypto (no mod_ssl) (MSI Installer): apache_2.0.63-win32-x86-no_ssl.msi [PGP] [MD5]

Can anyone try to download this please and tell me if you are having the same problems please?

I'm pretty sure I've used that install version before and it works.

can you try opening the file on the page now for me please just to see if the download window will open and how long the window will take to open once you click on the file?

i don't know if you've overlooked this, but sometimes (depending on your provider) you may not have to go to all this trouble as they sometimes give you the space to setup a site. Because from the sounds of it, your very inexperienced and setting up an apache server is a LOT more work than trying to figure out a simple html tag question

My apologies, I got the Apache successfully installed a while back and simply forgot to post here.