Simple WAMP Test Server?

Which WAMP server is best for a non-techie

[aruns]

Hi, I would like to install a simple WAMP server to test my sites, am not a techie. So would like something as simple as possible. I tried Lighty2go, it didnt work on my computer. I was thinking of trying Server2go, which one would you recommended for a non - techie like me?

Thanks
Arun

[aruns]

btw when I tried to start lighty2go the msg I get is -

"cant bind to port: 80 address already in use".

I'm running Windows XP Home on a IBM Thinkpad T43. What could I be wrong?

[encyclo]

The error means that you already have a webserver configured on your machine. Visit localhost in your browser to see what comes up. You may have IIS already installed, or the program you just installed is already running.

[aruns]

Well I did double checked to confirm Lighty2go is not running. I never installed any other server, as I'm on Windows XP Home I doubt any other server is installed as a default. Obviously some other software is interfering with this, how can I find out which one?

[wheel]

He said:

Visit localhost in your browser to see what comes up.

And yet what you did was:

Well I did double checked to confirm Lighty2go is not running.

Can't help you if you can't be bothered to read suggestions.

[aruns]

Wheel, I did check the localhost in the browser - no page loaded. Maybe I didnt explain what I did correctly, please dont jump to conclusion.

Thanks
Arun

[ergophobe]

Not sure about the binding error. You could have IIS running or PWS running with WinXP. Perhaps it is some weird error.

Personally, I've found wamp5 from wampserver.com to install the most easily. Apachefriends.org has been a little less reliable, but not bad.

When I have problems, though, I install one piece at a time. I would download apache and try the normal install. Does that work? If so, then add in PHP and MySQL.

[mack]

Are you running XP home or Pro? Have you ever installed any servers previously. If so one may still be running and because of this port 80 is not available for Apache.

I like Xampp, comes with a nice simple installer, and I have had little or no problems using it in the past.

Mack.

[vincevincevince]

I'm not sure quite how much help this will be; but there are many live CDs which come with a full webserver installed. Knoppix is popular, but many other versions are available; and you get the advantage of experiencing an OS closer to that of your actual hosting server.

[aruns]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, much appreciated. I tried Server2go, from a USB drive & it worked on my laptop. I guess not much point trying to get Lighty2go to work on my laptop, though it worked for me on another Desktop running Win Vesta Ultimate. I liked Lighty2go's tray tool, simple & easy to use.

To answer your questions,
I have never installed a server before. I'm not a techie, just started changing my website which has PHP forms by trial & error. My needs are relatively simple, hence my interest in USB / CD Rom based servers.

I have Win XP Home (came pre-installed on my Thinkpad T43p), dont think IIS server could come installed with that. My guess is some other software is potentially interfering port 80.

I will take a look at Knoppix, Wamp5 & Xampp.

Thanks
Arun

[Steerpike]

The easiest and fastest way to get a test environment going is to use EasyPHP - just download, install and start it up.

If it conflicts on post 80 you might have soemthing like Skype running? (I've had issue with that in the past).

[lighty2go]

aruns - I am from the Lighty2Go project and would like to help you to continue to try using Lighty2Go.
I don't mind working with you here .. but I do also have some new forums set-up for troubleshooting over @ lighty2go.com
You can post there as a guest so if you use the same name I'll know who you are.

Hope you stop by .. and thanks for at least giving Lighty2Go a try.

[aruns]

Thanks Steerpike. I tested Lighty2go after I exited skype & it worked. :)

Lighty2go, thanks for your response, I will post in lighty2go forums when I find time. In the meantime I tried to change the default port in the config files without much luck i.e. it still searched for port 80.

[lighty2go]

Hey Aruns glad it started working for you.
To change the port go to:
\Lighty2Go\LightTPD\conf\
and open lighttpd-prg.conf in a text editor
Look for this at line 162:

## bind to port (default: 80)
#server.port = 81

Uncomment the second line and make the number after the '=' the port to listen on, so it looks like this:

## bind to port (default: 80)
server.port = 9999

Hope that helps and hope to see you over at the Lighty2Go forums.