Apache help - likely basic n00b stuff

[Shipton]

Hey all.

I'm basically a total n00b at all this. I'm a coder at heart, but mostly application building etc. Trying to move into online apps. I ran a website a while back but I don't have any form of DNS anymore, so I was trying to create a local virtual host (i.e., so I can run scripts off my comp-u-tator without needing a server or website).

I run Windows XP Home SP2 (I know I know, but XP Pro at this point is too rich for my blood), and was naturally trying to install Apache. I tried both 2.2.3 and 2.0 but neither work properly. I get errors - namely, from 2.2.3, about http_conf (first about no such file, then about parameters for the SystemAdmin part of it (which I assume is my email address thing I entered or something)). Then I tried 2.0 - but that finishes off the install by saying "no such file: there is no service installed called "Apache2."" I'm quickly running out of ideas and can't find any/many resources on this topic on the web.

If someone could direct me how to go about installing Apache for using it to locally run scripts or direct me to step-by-step resource to a networking n00b such as myself 'twould be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[steviewdr]

download and install xammp or wamp

-steve

[Shipton]

I got all that running, the problem was it was trying to listen to port 80 instead of 8080.

But now .htaccess doesn't do anything. I have an .htaccess file setup in a parent file directory of phpMyAdmin but I can access all the folders (including the pass folder which has deny from all) without any problems. I've never been prompted to enter a password.

Here's the htaccess file in the parent directory:

AuthType Basic
AuthName "Please log in"
AuthUserFile C:/serve/restricted/pass/pass.txt
require valid-user

Where of course pass.txt is of the format
username:password