Topic: Apache won't start

[makamo66@gmail.com]

I'm trying to listen to my server at localhost: 8080
I can't listen at port 80 because Skype is using that port and there is no way to change that port in the Skype settings.
My Windows Event Viewer says
The server {F3B4E234-7A68-4E43-B813-E4BA55A065F6} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.

My XAMMP Control Panel says:
Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly. This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies, improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method.

[Otomatic]

Hi,

It is imperative to change the Skype configuration to NOT use port 80 or 443.
Do this by starting SKYPE and using the menus do - Tools -> Options -> Advanced Settings -> Connection:
Uncheck "Use ports 80 and 443 as an alternative."

But... the Windows 10 tiled app versions of SKYPE may not allow you to change this, so uninstall the tiled app and install SKYPE (If you need it) from a download, it will work just the same, but it will also allow you to make the above configuration changes.

[makamo66@gmail.com]

I went to skype.com and looked at the downloads page but there was no option to download an earlier version of Skype. The earlier versions allow you to change the port but the latest versions do not. So I can't change the port on my version of Skype.

[makamo66@gmail.com]

I went to Oldversion.com and found an early version of Skype. I am uninstalling my current Skype now and will install the older one afterwards.

[Otomatic]

You have several solutions:
- 1 - Uninstall Skype completely and use an application that does not appropriate ports 80 and 443 which are reserved for http and https protocols and not for VOIP.
- 2 - Flog Microsoft with nettles so that the option not to use ports 80 and 443 is finally put back in Skype, it's been promised for more than three years.
- 3 - Change an XAMPP parameter so that Apache uses a port other than 80, for example 8080.

[makamo66@gmail.com]

I uninstalled Skype and re-started my computer but I still get the following error:

Port 80 in use by "Unable to open process" with PID 4!
Apache WILL NOT start without the configured ports free!
You need to uninstall/disable/reconfigure the blocking application or reconfigure Apache and the Control Panel to listen on a different port

I've already tried using port 8080 but that doesn't work either.

[Otomatic]

Hi,

There may also be IIS that uses port 80.

(W7/W8/W10) Control Panel, Programs and Features, Turn Windows features on or off
(W7/W Uncheck :
-- Main Web Internet service instance (IIS)
-- All items of the branch : Internet services(IIS)
-- All items of the branch : Activation Windows service process
(W10) Uncheck :
-- Main instance Web of Internet Information Services (IIS)
-- All items of the branch : Internet Information Services

Then OK.
It may be necessary to restart the machine.

[makamo66@gmail.com]

Thanks for all your input, Otomatic

I cleared all of the checkboxes for IIS and now I don't get the error message about using the port but I still get the error message as follows:

Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly. This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies, improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method. Press the Logs button to view error logs and check the Windows Event Viewer for more clues. If you need more help, copy and post this entire log window on the forums.

[Otomatic]

Hi,

You have to ask XAMPP. I don't know how XAMPP configures Apache.
And, as suggested, see the errors in the event viewer.

[James Blond]

Run cmd as Adminstrator

[makamo66@gmail.com]

Thanks, James Blond
I had misspelled my DocumentRoot at C:/xampp/htdocs/ I corrected the spelling and it's working now!