WampServer

I've installed apache 2.4.4 in C:\wamp\bin\apache, but am getting the dreaded orange icon when I select version 2.4.4 from the tray icon.

I've added the wampserver config file in the directory. Is there another step (or steps) I need to take to get this running?

Thank you

HowTo: Install a new version of APACHE into WAMP yourself.


This is not intended to replace the wamp addons mechanism of downloading apache version. If the version you require is available as an addon, use that mechanism, its just so easy.


This tutorial is not really for the absolute beginner. It would help if you had a basic knowledge of how apache/php work together and seperately and their individual configuration, as well as an understanding of what wamp is and does for you.


Read all this document before starting any actual attempt to install an apache version.


This guide assumes you are installing a minor version of an apache you already have installed i.e. apache 2.2.x to apache2.2.y.
I will use the versions 2.2.22 and 2.2.23, the tutorial uses these folder names but of course you will probably be installing different versions.

So here is the process:

1. Download the ZIP version of the Apache you want to run ( not the msi installer, only because I dont know what it may do or assume when it installs )
Suggestion only
[www.apachelounge.com]

2. From wamp manager, Stop all services.

3. Go to c:\wamp\bin\apache\ and create a new folder named appropriately for the release you are installing i.e apache.2.2.23

4. Unzip the Apache downloaded and copy the contents of the unzipped apache folder into your newly created folder in the wamp folder structure. apache2.2.23 in this example.
Make sure the directory levels are the same as your existing apache folder i.e. all the folders get unzipped into a folder called something like apache2, just copy all the subfolders to your new folder wamp\bin\apache\apache.2.2.23 folder. I suggest you unzip it somewhere else and then copy that to the wamp folder.

5. Copy c:\wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.22\wampserver.conf to c:\wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\wampserver.conf
All the folders in here are relative to where this file lives, so normally nothing need changing in here.
Wamp will not see your new install properly if you forget this step.

6. Now you need to bring your existing httpd.conf file from your current instance of apache.

Be carefull here, things change in the httpd.conf file, parameters get deprecated, new ones get created etc. So use the new httpd.conf as the master and only move over parameters you know you have changed for your actual requirements.

First make a backup of the new wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\httpd.conf as wamp\bin\apache\apache2.2.23\httpd.original.conf ( for example )


There is one parameter in the YOUR OLD httpd.conf file that MUST BE CHECKED/CHANGED and thats:
ServerRoot "d:/wamp/bin/apache/apache2.2.22"
Change the version numbers appropriately to the new versions folder i.e. to
ServerRoot "d:/wamp/bin/apache/apache2.2.23" in this tutorial.


Now we must configure apache to use the correct version of PHP.

Wamp default is to runs PHP as an apache handler, that means apache loads the PHP interpreter as an apache module. ( see below )
So you must also check you are loading the correct handler for the version of apache and the version of PHP you want to use.
The PHP folder should contain 1 or more of these handlers ( dll's ) depending on which versions of php it has been compiled for ( not all php version will run with all apache's ).
You must load the correct dll to match the apache version and the php version you want to use.


Ok I am afraid we need a bit of Techy Stuff here.
=================================================
When PHP is compiled, by cleverer people than us! It is actually compiled more than once for various situations.
If you look in the php/phpx.y.z folder you will see a php.exe, php-win.exe, php-cgi.exe, all of which are irrelivant in the context of this document.

You will also see one or more dll files with names like php5apache2.dll, php5apache2_2.dll, php5apache2_4.dll, again depending on which apache you have download.
These are the php interpreter compiled into a dll for use as an apache handler.
The version of apache that this php is comiled to run with, is denoted by the apache2 (apache 2.0 or 2.1) or apache2_2 (apache 2.2 or 2.3) or apache2_4 ( apache 2.4 ) part of the filename.
The php5 part denotes it is a version of php5 ( but does not tell you which version of php5 ).
The version of php is denoted by the fact that you downloaded php5.3.13 and have luckily loaded it into a folder called php5.3.13 so you know whats what.


If you are using PHP 5.4 with an apache 2.4.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.4.x/php5apache2_4.dll" for using PHP 5.4

If you are using PHP 5.2 or PHP 5.3 with an apache 2.2.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.2.x/php5apache2_2.dll"

If you want to use PHP with an apache 2.0.x or 2.1.x instance:
LoadModule php5_module "d:/wamp/bin/php/php5.1.x/php5apache2.dll" for using PHP

NOTE:
This parameter is in the httpd.conf but is loading a file from a PHP folder.
============================================================================

If the php version folder does not contain a handler that matches apache version you want to run then that version of php wont run with that version of apache or your php download has not been compiled for that version of apache, normally the former.

Armed with this information you should be able to find the correct handler for the version of apache and php that you want to run together.
www.apachelounge.com appears to be a good place to start when looking for these.



7. If you are using Virtual Servers you will also need to copy the conf\extras\httpd-vhosts.conf file to the new folder now.


8. We should be nearly done, so
Right click wampmanager -> refresh

This will tell wamp manager to re-configure itself and go look for anything new in its folder structure i.e. you new apache.
Check it has worked by: left click wampmanager -> Apache -> Versions, you should see your new one in the list.

8. Now Left click wamp manager -> Apache -> Versions -> and click your new version numbers to activate the new version of Apache.
This will restart apache and run your new version.

If apache fails to start ( wamp manager stays orange ) either you or I have missed a step. I hope its you!


TROUBLE SHOOTING
If you make a mistake check the apache error log for clues, or the windows event viewer, apache writes errors to this as well as its error log.

If all else fails, delete the new apache.x.y.z folder and re run the Right click on wamp manager -> Refresh and it will re configure itself without your new apache and you can start again.

Thanks for the reply & upgrade tutorial. Unfortunately, I'm still getting the same problem after starting again from scratch.

I don't get any errors in my apache error log, and don't see anything with my windows event viewer (though my experience with this tool is limited, so perhaps I'm missing something).

From what version of wamp are you coming from?

What php version?

What architecture?

Steven Martin
stevenmartin99@gmail.com
stevenmartin99@hotmail.com
PampServer.com - [pampserver.com]

Wampserver 2.2

Attempting to upgrade from Apache 2.4.2 to Apache 2.4.4

PHP 5.3.13

The only modules I enabled were the httpd.conf file is enabling mod_ssl and mod_rewrite, as well as adding php5_module (php5apache2_4.dll)

Are u x64 trying to use an x86 package!?

Steven Martin
stevenmartin99@gmail.com
stevenmartin99@hotmail.com
PampServer.com - [pampserver.com]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2013 07:27AM by stevenmartin99.

I ended up upgraded PHP while struggling through this (PCI compliance), and got it working afterwards. Not sure what changed, but its working now.