Member Avatar for pdewijs

Dear Programmers,
After more than 8 hours I am finally exhausted. Please tell me how I can install a STABLE Apache server with PHP on my XP-home edition version 2002 which is able to do the most simple things. Not give errors, or hesitate, or don't show.
Apache is working
PHP is working
But everynow and then a simple webpage doesn't want to appear, after clicking 20 times, suddenly everything is OK.
What's wrong. Please give me a good advice.
Peter. :(

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  • 4 Replies
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  • 6 Days Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by fsn812

Dani AI

Generated

As reports intermittent page failures despite Apache and PHP appearing to run, and others (, , ) have suggested network/installation causes, a short, methodical diagnosis will find the real problem faster than reinstalling. Intermittent failures are best treated as an isolation problem: determine whether the failure is the client, the network, Apache itself, or PHP executing code.

  1. Reproduce and isolate
  • Serve a tiny static file and a minimal PHP test (to separate web server problems from script problems).
<?php
ini_set('display_errors',1);
error_reporting(E_ALL);
echo "OK ".microtime(true)."\n";
phpinfo();
?>
  • From the same machine request the file repeatedly (or use a small loop on a machine that has curl/wget) to see if failures are local-to-server or client-side.
  1. Inspect logs and sockets
  • When a failure occurs note the exact timestamp, then check Apache access_log and error_log and Windows Event Viewer for matching entries.
  • Check which process owns port 80 to rule out conflicts:
netstat -ano | findstr :80
  1. Quick config/runtime checks
  • Temporarily disable personal firewall/antivirus to rule out hooks that kill or delay HTTP responses.
  • Test loopback () vs hostname vs remote client to separate DNS/router/NAT problems.
  • Check Apache KeepAlive/Timeout and MaxClients/Threads values (reduce KeepAliveTimeout or disable KeepAlive briefly to test).
  • Use phpinfo() to confirm whether PHP runs as a module or CGI—SAPI differences affect stability under certain loads.
  • Monitor Task Manager for CPU, memory, and handle spikes during failures.
  1. Next steps if still flaky
  • Try the same setup on another machine or a packaged stack to eliminate local OS/software interference (packaged stacks were suggested earlier).
  • If asking for help, include exact Apache/PHP versions, the phpinfo snapshot, the relevant error_log lines with timestamps, and a short description of how to reproduce the failure.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for UberAAZ

I think there's a seperate reason as to why, "everynow and then a simple webpage doesn't want to appear, after clicking 20 times, suddenly everything is OK".

There's probably just some network lag, or something.

Member Avatar for pdewijs

I think there's a seperate reason as to why, "everynow and then a simple webpage doesn't want to appear, after clicking 20 times, suddenly everything is OK".

There's probably just some network lag, or something.

No, if that was the case I would have detected it. No, doesn't anyone know something about PHP and XP and stable action? I hope so.

Member Avatar for Aradon

You got a scorching internet connection? If not then this is most likely the problem, standard broadband connections generally arent suitable for web servers, i know this because i tried my self, my 2Mb connection simply couldnt cut it. Also make sure your ISP allows servers or they may come down on you like a ton of bricks. Another thing, if you have unlimited bandwidth on a standard ISP, then a fair usage policy will be in place and you will risk dis-connection if you "abuse" the service.

If however you have a backbone connection (which is where a website should be) however then this obviously isnt the issue.
One thing, it is recomended that you install apache and php on a clean machine for obvious stability reasons.

Member Avatar for fsn812

Is this on your home box? If so, is it safe to assume you are accessing your web server locally or within your local home network (as opposed to having the site/server offsite)?

If that is the case, I would lean toward the stability of your setup (especially if you are serving web pages locally).

My suggestion, if it really took you 8 hours just to get it up and running the first time, is the following:

1.)Start with a fresh install

2.)Install WAMP - http://www.wampserver.com/en/index.php

That's probably the easiest way you are going to get one up and running*.

*Of course, if you really want stability (and this won't cost you a penny... ok maybe the cost of 1 - 4 burned CD's), just wipe that box and install . Then, set it up as a LAMP server - http://www.lamphowto.com/lamp.htm

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