Hi there, just got a dedicated Windows Server and am having loads of problems getting any PHP scripts to run on it.

When I use my control panel it has the option to add a database...
It then asks me to add a "data source" with "SQL Server" as one of the options. but the next window is

name:
Server IP:
Databse Name (On Sql Server):

Im used to having to put database name, user & pass????

How can Install a database??

The normal test connection I use is

<?php
// hostname or ip of server (for local testing, localhost should work)
$dbServer='localhost';

// username and password to log onto db server
$dbUser='thule1961';
$dbPass='thule1961';

// name of database
$dbName='thuleprof';

    $link = mysql_connect("$dbServer", "$dbUser", "$dbPass") or die("Could not connect");
    print "Connected successfully<br>";
    mysql_select_db("$dbName") or die("Could not select database");
    print "Database selected successfully<br>";

// close connection
mysql_close($link);
?>

but I'm gessing this is no good now?

Is PHP and MySql installed on the server?

what control panel are you using?

do you have Terminal Services access?

Yes both installed, using Matrix Control panel no teminal services...

Why on earth would you want to run PHP on a dedicated Windows server?

Sounds like you're trying to set up an ODBC DSN. Don't. That's like 30 year old technology, almost as old as I am. Use SQL Server if that's what your host provides, and use the ASP.NET SqlClient namespace for data access.

But what if we have sites that run on PHP?

Why would you sign up for dedicated Windows hosting and not dedicated Linux?

Because a new site were about to run is ASP and the "tech Guys" said go for the windows one as it will run both

Then you need to see if they have MySQL installed. Do they provide a control panel?

If they don't provide MySQL, you can change your DB script to MSSQL
http://us3.php.net/mssql

Yeah, you can make Windows run PHP, but it ain't easy, and I don't know how. I'd help you if I did. But if you also need to run ASP(.NET) that's the way to go.

You can run MySQL on Windows, but it needs to be installed and you have to put the MyODBC drivers on the machine. Like Joder said if you can change the database to MS-SQL that's probably your best bet.

Ok
Don't worry about these guys telling you what a pain it is to run PHP on IIS.
I've set it up on a few IIS servers now and upgraded a few times as well, even had two different versions of PHP on one server for something that HAD to run on PHP Ver 4.3. So it's not that difficult.

The MyODBC Drivers (3.51 current) only need to be installed when you need ASP/ASP.NET functionality with MySql. PHP has native drivers for MySql.

It sounds like the CP does not have a MySql option installed or activated. Don't know the Matrix CP at all so couldn't begin to give any assistance with that.

It may be worth getting the server techs to install phpMyAdmin on the server to handle MySql, or install HeidiSQL on the server and provide TS access to run that, or open a port through the firewall so you can run the MySql GUI from your desktop.

Originally Posted by chrishirst

Don't worry about these guys telling you what a pain it is to run PHP on IIS.

Don't trust Chris telling you not to trust us. He has an unfair advantage - he know's what he's talking about.

(If you read between the lines, that means take Chris's words to heart.)

Thanks for that Chris,

We've decided that the new ASP site will be run on its own dedicated server and have got another Linux for al the old stuff.

Yay! I know how to run all that!

Cheers for the advise guys!