index.php Downloads the file instead of showing it.

i am running debian lenny
running apache (latest)
i am trying to make a webserver.

i put the index.html file in my www folder. it shows up when i go to my site (localhost)
i put an index.php file in my www folder and when i try to go to my site it Downloads the index.php file instead of showing it.
please help

 

You need to install PHP on your server. Here is a link I found which should help you out:

http://www.howtoforge.com/installing-apache2-with-php5-and-mysql-support-on-debian-lenny-lamp

 

i reinstalled Apache mysql and php5 as the guide showed
now when i go to localhost it asks me to download:
application/x-httpd-php

 

Another tutorial: http://linux.justinhartman.com/Setting_up_a_LAMP_Server

Try restarting apache:
/etc/init.d/apache2 restart

 

i did restart apache (i run webmin so i stop and start apache server from there)

 

hmm, Can you paste your .htaccess?

 

if you still haveing the issue let me know