Topic: Unable to start Apache 2.4.3 as service [Windows 8]

[ericdb]

Installed Apache Server 2.4.3 (no PHP, etc.) and it was working beautifully for a week or so. Yesterday, I restarted my laptop (nothing changed... no updates that install automatically, etc.) and now Apache won't start. Here are some things I've found out on my quest on figuring out what's wrong:

1. Apache Error Log:
[Sat Jan 05 14:18:36.745977 2013] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 4116:tid 372] AH00455: Apache/2.4.3 (Win64) configured -- resuming normal operations
[Sat Jan 05 14:18:36.745977 2013] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 4116:tid 372] AH00456: Server built: Aug 18 2012 14:13:48
[Sat Jan 05 14:18:36.745977 2013] [core:notice] [pid 4116:tid 372] AH00094: Command line: 'C:\\Apache24\\bin\\httpd.exe -d C:/Apache24'
[Sat Jan 05 14:18:36.747979 2013] [mpm_winnt:notice] [pid 4116:tid 372] AH00418: Parent: Created child process 3436
[Sat Jan 05 14:18:37.335418 2013] [mpm_winnt:crit] [pid 4116:tid 372] AH00419: master_main: create child process failed. Exiting.

2. Nothing else is using port 80 (or 443, for that matter).

3. Apache will start and stay running if I run httpd.exe from the DOS prompt or double-click it from within Windows just fine.

4. Will not run when launched from within the Services or Apache Service Monitor app.

5. Windows Event Error displays the following error:
Faulting application name: httpd.exe, version: 2.4.3.0, time stamp: 0x502f863e
Faulting module name: MSVCR100.dll, version: 10.0.40219.325, time stamp: 0x4df2bcac
Exception code: 0xc0000417
Fault offset: 0x0000000000070468
Faulting process id: 0x13d8
Faulting application start time: 0x01cdeb8eefaec475
Faulting application path: C:\Apache24\bin\httpd.exe
Faulting module path: C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\MSVCR100.dll
Report Id: 2deab70b-5782-11e2-be94-00247e17b5d9
Faulting package full name:
Faulting package-relative application ID:

6. I've tried fixing/reinstalling the C+ redistribution files about 3 times now, to no avail (thinking the error in the event file was caused by a bad/corrupt MSVCR100.DLL).

7. The exception code in the event error is:
0xc0000417 = STATUS_INVALID_CRUNTIME_PARAMETER =
An invalid parameter was passed to a C runtime function. (But again, reloading the files didn't solve anything).

8. I have tried removing Apache completely, reloading with default settings, etc. and still having the same issue.

9. Out of desperation, I even tried a registry cleaner (CCClean) and CHKDSK on the drive. Both of those didn't fix anything.

This is it... not sure what else to do/try. Again, everything was fine one moment, and it all stopped working after rebooting my system. PLEASE HELP! I've wasted hours into this issue, and have come up empty handed. I'm beyond frustrated at the moment. Any assistance would be highly appreciated!

Respectfully,
Eric

EDIT: The download I used for the server is located here:
http://www.apachelounge.com/download/win64/

[ericdb]

Apparently, I had corrupt system files as "SFC /scannow" fixed the issue. Jeez! There you go, folks! Try that when in doubt and you've done everything else... thank heavens! My laptop was about to have flying lessons.