A lot of open source applications out there run on php, apache and mysql.  This in combination gives you a LAMP installation.  There is an unbelievably easy way of setting up a fully functioning, full featured PHP, Apache and MySQL on Windows XP,2K,2K3 complete with PEAR, CURL and SOAP and here are the instructions.

You can download the installer from here.

Once downloaded, launch the installer and select Run.

Select the components you wish to install, by default a full install is done, however you have the option of a PostgreSQL or a MySQL install.  Both are not done, it’s one or the other for autostarting with windows and ApacheSSL is not autostarted by default either.

Select the destination folder and click Next.

Select and type in a password for the installation.  This is the Global password for everything from PHPAdmin, to MySQL to Apache……don’t forget it.

Click Next.

The install will begin.

Once the files are copied you will be prompted to allow the post configuration routine to run.  Click OK.

You will need to enter the Global password that you previously specified and then hit Enter.  Please note, that while you type your password no asterisks, or X’s or anything else will appear.  You are typing the password, there is just no on-screen demonstration of this.

The post configuration routine will run.

You will have to reboot your computer once the installation is finished.

Once your system is back up and running you can go into the configuration by clicking on the Start button – Apache2Triad – Apache2TriadCP.  You will be prompted for your Global username and password.  Please type them in and click OK.  You will then see the Global Control Panel.

From this control panel you have complete and total control of your configuration and can change anything from user privileges, to PHP and MySQL settings, to Apache configs.

That’s it.  The rest is customizing your domain settings, any alerts you wish to receive.  But the bulk of the work is finished and you are online!

Tags | Databases, General, Linux, Microsoft, Servers, Windows Vista, Windows XP