I have downloaded php-5.2.12-win32-installer. Running this file creates a directory named php5 and this directory has a text file called “license” and program file called php.ini.

However, the how-to guide I have for php was published in 2004 and it does not mention this php.ini file. The guide does tell you how to set up a file called “configure”, but this file does not exist with the installer program that I downloaded.

I am assuming that php files are run with a web browser (I have Internet Explorer 6), but when I try to run the first php script from the how-to guide I end up with the MS Word text file that I used to write the script. The how-to guide talks about configuring your server as part of the installation process for php, but since my php installer does not have a configure file I don’t know what to do. Can someone help?

remove that instance of PHP and install the following

http://www.wampserver.com/en/

Originally Posted by davidj

remove that instance of PHP and install the following

http://www.wampserver.com/en/

I’ve tried this already but the website does not work. Anytime I tell it to download I get a message saying the wampserver download will start shortly- but if it does not to try a mirror site. The download never begins and if I click anywhere on the download page my browser shuts down and closes.

Try this one: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp-windows.html#641

I finally managed to download wampserver using the direct link on the download page when the download wouldn’t start automatically. But I get the same thing with wampserver that I got with the installer program I already tried to use.

Here is the script that my how-to guide says write:

001: <?php
002: phpinfo();
003: ?>

I have saved this with a .php file extension as both an MS Word document and as a plain text file. And I have saved it with and without the line numbers. But no matter what whenever I try to load the file with Internet Explorer all I get is the same text editor file that I started with. Is there something I need to do to configure the wampser that I downloaded?

I know nothing about the amp that you downloaded but as a general rule:
You have to install whatever you download.
You have to start Apache and mysql when you want the local server active.

PHP will not work unless the local server is active and even then it will only work when the pages are loaded using a browser.

BTW, which OS are you using? Vista had some problems with about all the amps.

Originally Posted by colbyt

I know nothing about the amp that you downloaded but as a general rule:
You have to install whatever you download.
You have to start Apache and mysql when you want the local server active.

PHP will not work unless the local server is active and even then it will only work when the pages are loaded using a browser.

BTW, which OS are you using? Vista had some problems with about all the amps.

How do I go about starting Apache and mysql? My OS is Windows EX home edition.

If you installed the amp set you should have an icon or at least a menu item which runs a start batch file.

As I said before I know nothing about the one you downloaded.

Try typing http://localhost into an open browser window and see what happens.

EDIT: I did not mean for that to be a link but it is so if you click on it and have a running server on your machine it will load a page.

Originally Posted by colbyt

If you installed the amp set you should have an icon or at least a menu item which runs a start batch file.

As I said before I know nothing about the one you downloaded.

Try typing http://localhost into an open browser window and see what happens.

EDIT: I did not mean for that to be a link but it is so if you click on it and have a running server on your machine it will load a page.

Installing the program that I downloaded puts a shortcut icon on the desk top. Clicking on the shortcut puts an icon in the toolbar. Clicking on the icon in the tool bar gives a pop-up box that has:

Localhost
PhpMyAdmin
Apache
PHP
MySQRL
Quick Admin
Start all services
Stop all services
Restart all services
Put online

Typing localhost in the url box on Internet Explorer gives a message at the top of the browser display saying Cannot find server – Microsoft Internet Explorer. There is an active cursor in the Google box and the MS icon is moving in the top-right corner but the display box where a webpage’s content would go is blank.

Typing localhost in the url box when I am connected to my ISP gives me the same display that I get cliking on the localhost option in the pop-up box that I get when clicking on the tool bar icon. However, booting up the php file from my how-to guide still does not do anything except boot up my text editor and showing me the php file.

If you panel box looks like this one: http://www.wampserver.com/en/ I would assume that you can start the services individually using the extended tabs or all at once using start all services.

You need to start the services when you want the local server active and stop them when you don't.