I want to install apache 2.2 in Windows XP SP3 just for local use (test PHP scripts on html pages) I am unable to find the proper combination of entries in etc/hosts and httpd to make it work. Invoking //localhost on firefox, for instance, results in a "Can't connect" message etc/hosts 127.0.0.1 localhost httpd ServerName localhost May I get some guidance on that, please? thanks
I would suggest that you download and use one of the LAMP packages that give you a ready to use server on your local machine. I personally use xampp (non installer version) with XP SP3+. There is also Wamp and a couple of others. If you read and follow the included instructions you will have a web-server on your local machine in about 30 minutes that you can start and stop with just two mouse clicks. Be glad to answer any questions you might have about xampp. I have no experience with the others.
xampp is good to use and easy to setup and if you have a router you will need to open your ports to get it working with your ip
You may need to do that if you want the outside world or others on your network to share your files. For use on a single machine attached to a network you do not have to do that.