Windows XP SP3 breaks Apache

I've just installed Windows Service Pack 3 for XP (pro) and now Apache (as part of XAMPP) will not start. I have found this video on YouTube with a solution but it didn't work for me, nor does disabling the Windows firewall. Anyway if you haven't installed SP3 yet and have Apache then I suggest you don't until a fix is found!

It's going to be a long day. If only Macs were cheaper...

Update: I've now got it back working by uninstalling MSN Explorer, Windows Messenger & Outlook Express (which I had previous unistalled but SP3 adds them again). A reboot later and everything is fine.

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• Apache

7 comments

1. What do MSN Explorer, Windows Messenger & Outlook Express do that causes Apache to fail?
   
   Comment by Rey Bango – September 19, 2008
2. Hi Rey, to be honest I think absolutely nothing! I think it was just a combination of things and a reboot (as with most things windows) that fixed it.
   
   Comment by John Whish – September 19, 2008
3. I got the SP3 update and Apache still works. I'm running version 2.2.
   
   Comment by Will Wilson – October 07, 2008
4. Hi Will, I guess there must be something on my system that conflicts. I know that others have had an issue, but it's good to know that it doesn't affect everyone :)
   
   Comment by John Whish – October 07, 2008
5. i have updated my sp2 to sp3.. i have no msn,messenger,outlock installed and still didn't get apache to start..
   
   Comment by abedalmged – May 02, 2009
6. just go to services in your comp and shut down IIS service, now is port 80 free and u can start apache 8)
   
   Comment by the.ufon – May 29, 2009
7. @the.ufon, I did run a port scanner to check for conflicts and for me, it wasn't an issue with IIS. In the end I set up Apache again, which was much quicker than trying to figure out what was stopping it starting up.
   
   Comment by John Whish – June 02, 2009