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Setting up WAMP
This article will step through what you need to do get WAMP (Windows, Apache, mySQL, PHP) running on windows 2000, 98 or XP. (It might work with ME or 95, but I don't promise anything)
By the end, you'll have a versatile tool that will allow you to:
-host your own website (permanent internet connection preferable)
-learn a basic programming language (PHP)
-learn about relational databases (mySQL)
-learn about server config on the industry standard webserver (apache)
all without having to install a new operating system.
Required tools:
a fairly clean basic box, e.g.:
ram: approx 256Mb+
mhz: approx 700+
HDD: approx 200Mb free
Admin access to your box (not required on win98-).
Estimated time: MAX 2 hours.
By 'fairly clean', I mean close to it's original condition; the fewer things installed on it the better. Of significant concern are things like firewalls, almost anything by norton, AOL, third party secuity suites, etc. Ideally, you'll want to re-install the whole computer from scratch, but this is by no means required.
Getting Started
Firstly, you may like to print this page, not only will you undoubtably need it at some future point, but also, we'll be disconnecting from the net while we do the install.
Note that the PDF is not updated as often as this page is (like, never), so try the text scheme first and if that won't work, then use the PDF (or just forget the whole thing)...
Secondly, you'll need to download all the installers for the programs we'll be installing;
or go to the respective websites and grab the latest versions, but I can't guarantee that this guide will work with other versions.
Note: this guide is designed for mySQL 4.0.21, however mysql.org no longer distribute that version, hence, the link to mySQL is for 4.0.23. This should not affect the guide. I do plan to host all install files locally at some point.
If you don't have something capable of reading zip files (e.g. winzip) then I suggest zipcentral (zipcentral.iscool.net), it's fast and quite a lot free-er than winzip :-).
I also recommend downloading textpad (www.textpad.com); it's just a text editor, but it has some nifty features that make coding PHP (or any other language) a lot easier.
Now, reboot your computer. This is important as it will ensure that your system is fresh and ready to kick some ass.
If you're running win2k, log in as the administrator.
Disconnect from the internet
If you have one, disable your firewall. In fact, disable everything that's running; no taskbar icons, no extra status bar icons. This will help ensure the install goes smoothly.
Installing Apache
Apache is the web server, which processes file requests and sends them back. Apache is generally recognised as the most stable and secure server money can buy. Not that money is an issue, as it's also totally free, like all the tools we're using.
I have to say, installing Apache on windows is incredibly simple, a few clicks and it's done.
First, open the Apache install file you downloaded, click yes and ok and next and so forth until you reach the "Server Information" screen, then, here's the info you want:
Network Domain: localhost
Server Name: 127.0.0.1
Admin Email: you@yourdomain.com
Choose whether you want Apache running for all users or not.
If you just going to use the server for development, you can just have it run for you, otherwise I'd recommend having it running for all users.
Choose the complete installation (it only takes under 8 meg, so why not?), stick with the default folder for install, and hit the magic button.
This should be it - verify by opening http://localhost/ or http://127.0.0.1/ in your internet browser.
Wasn't that easy?
Installing mySQL
mySQL is the database server, which will allow interactivity on your websites. Like Apache, mySQL is free, stable and secure. It lacks a few of the features of it's commercial competitors, but is widely used and trusted. With each new version, more features are added to keep mySQL a viable alternative to other closed source products (Oracle and MSSQL being the two main rivals)
Extract everything from "mysql-4.0.21-win-noinstall.zip" straight into drive C, a new folder should appear named "mysql-4.0.21-win", you can rename this something else if you want to, it really doesn't matter (but bear in mind that that's what I use, so my config examples are tailored to this directory).
mySQL is now installed, but there's a little configuring you'll need to do.
Firstly, let's set a password:
Start a command prompt by going to Start, then Run, and typing "command", or on win2k, "cmd"
To start the mySQL daemon, type the following:
c:
cd mysql-4.0.21-win
cd bin
mysqld
exit that command prompt, and start a new one, again navigating to c:\mysql-4.0.21-win\bin\
now type
mysql -u root
to log in to mySQL, it should say
Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 2 to server version: 4.0.21-nt
Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.
mysql>
Note: If you get a message saying that you cannot connect, try rebooting and running 'mysqld' again.
Now type the following, replacing "flibble" with your desired password for the mySQL server.
USE mysql;
UPDATE user SET Password=PASSWORD("flibble");
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit;
