localhost...absent

[autumnal]

I recently loaded PHP/MYSQL/Apache.
BUT, my installation and big dreams come to a halt when I cannot connect to the localhost...
http://localhost doesn't get me anywhere, and the only thing I have figured out for sure, is that it is not a firewall issue...
{Yes - I also typed 127.0.0.1}


ANY help appreciated.

[pcthug]

Did you install a AMP package like Xampp or Lamp, or were they all standalone installations?

[autumnal]

Installed the Xampp package. I tried standalone first, but I also encountered the localhost error, as well as a firewall error.

[pcthug]

well firstly go to the directory you installed xampp in i.e. C:\Program Files\xampp\ then open setup_xampp.bat.
Now you must startup Apache and Mysql. You can either start them up manually by running apache_start & mysql_start or you could open up xampp_start and it will do it automatically for you.
Lastly key in http://localhost/ into your favourite browser and if done correctly you should be presented with the xampp control panel.

[autumnal]

Started up Apache in XAMPP Control Panel, but got ERROR starting MySQL.
Used mysql_start and window opened, and got:
mysql\bin\mysqld: ready for connections.

localhost --> page still cannot be displayed.

Not in I.E. or Firefox.

??