This gudie is for complete newbies that want to install a web server (http://whateveryouwant.something) that is personally hosted. The matterials that you will be using will be PHP4 and Apache. More will be covered latered. Before you start, you need to consiter if this is right for you.


First:

1. Do you have a high speed connection that has a non-changing (static)ip?
(cable/dsl/t1/t3/and higher)

2. Do you have about 30 mins to spend?

3. Are you behind a firewall that you cannot get past?

3. Are you prepaired to read this and have LOTS of fun when you get your
server up?

If you answered YES to all these questions then you are ready to start. First you will need any failed attempt to install any http server. Second you will need to download the following programs:

Apache 2- http://www.apache.org/dist/binaries/win32/

(download apache2 in Windows Binary) 3mb

PHP 4.2.1- http://www.php.net/downloads.php

(download the Windows Binaries PHP 4.2.1 installer) 900kb

Ok, now that you downloaded that, you are ready to start installing! First unzip and install Apache. For the Server Information screen, type anything you want because it wont matter. You might want to type in a realy Admin email tho. Also install it on port 80 (normal). Dont change the install folder and then install it! You are over half way through this! If you want a server with NO PHP support then you may stop here. Just go on to the last step.

Go take a break, eat something, and piss. Now we are going to install PHP. All you have to do here is run php-4.2.1-installer.exe! Sometimes its not that simple tho..... BE SURE TO INSTALL TO C:\PHP!!! that is important! For the mail config on the next screen, type whatever you want. Now be sure to install it on Apache and not the other stuff. Now install it and whala! You are done! BUT Like I said, sometimes its not so easy.... If you get a error at the end saying "sorry, the software to automatically configure the Apache httpd.conf file......", then that is not soo ban news. If you dont get this error, then go to the last step. If you do follow these instructions:

Remember the assy httpd.conf file that wouldnt update? it is in your C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\conf dir. Now open that sucker up and back it up with notepad if you like.

First find the line:

ScriptAlias /cgi-bin/ "C:/program files/Apache

Group/Apache/cgi-bin/".

Go to the line under it and insert:

ScriptAlias /php/ "C:/php/"

Now locate the line:

# Format: Action handler-name /cgi-script/location

Go to the line following it and insert this:

Action application/x-httpd-php /php/php.exe

Okay, one last modification to make. Find the line:

# AddType allows you to tweak mime.types without actually editing it, or to

# make certain files to be certain types.

Go to the line following it and insert these lines:

AddType application/x-httpd-php .php

AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps

THE LAST STEP - without PHP

Guess what! You are done! go make yourself some icecream! To test your nice littler server, goto Start---->Program Files---->Apache HTTP Server 2.0.39---->Control Apache Server---->Start Apache in Console That litte thing will start your server. Now go to http://localhost and see if it works! If it does then go to C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\htdocs and start making your website! Also see the VeryLast Step for more info. If you DO NOT get this screen, try the following: rebooting, stop uploading (if you are), disable your firewall, or other stuff.

THE LAST STEP - with PHP

Guess what! You are done! go make yourself some icecream! To test your nice littler server, goto Start---->Program Files---->Apache HTTP Server 2.0.39---->Control Apache Server---->Start Apache in Console That litte thing will start your server. Now go to http://localhost and see if it works! If it does then go to C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\htdocs and start making your website! Now to test your PHP. First, make a new file called info.php and insert in the C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\htdocs dir. In that file, add the following lines of code:

<?

phpinfo();

?>

Now go to http://localhost/info.php . You should see a screen with a bunch of info on it. If you DO NOT get this screen, try the following: rebooting, stop uploading (if you are), disable your firewall, or other stuff. Now see the VeryLast Step for more info. If you are getting a errormessage saying "server Error! Premature end of blah blah blah, be sure you have, a: Msvcrt.dll and php4ts.dll in c:\windows\system and php.ini in the C:\WINDOWS\ . Be sure you followed editing httpd.conf to the letter! that is VERY important.

VeryLast Step!!!!

This is the fun part! Goto www.dot.tk and register a FREE domain name if you please. For the server redirection thing, put in http://(youripaddress) or http://localhost (i dont know if that works on dot.tk) Now Spread the news about your veryown website!

Info:

The software that has been said in this walkthrough, are property of them and you must abide by there rules. This server is not for installing a message board, that will require MySQL and you may try that if you please. If someone is claiming credit for MY work, notify me.