Apache 2.0 stability problems

[deuxbiers]

Apache frequently requires me to stop and then start it again before allowing access to the site I'm running.

I'm running it on Win NT Pro and using Zone Alarm and AVG.

I'm new to all this so please use simple language :confused:

Thanks

[Carla Schroder]

A few more details would be helpful. How is it requiring you to restart it? Does it hang, or spit up an error message? What do your logfiles say?

[deuxbiers]

Thanks for the reply.

Ah! I've not checked the log files - sorry. Will do that at next opportunity. Apache doesn't hang and I get no error messages (other than perhaps in the log file which I will check). All that happens is I'm unable to access the web site Apache is hosting. After stopping and starting Apache everything works fine again.

[Arbutis]

I was going to post a new topic until I read this one.

I too am having similar issues. Very mysterious. I am running an apache server on XPhome for some simple html homepages and it seems to be set up fine. I start it up without a hitch and leave it running all the time. Friends and family can access everything but every once in a while, for no apparent reason, the pages become unaccessable.
It's frustrating because I can never tell when it happens until someone else tries to get to a page and gets blocked out - then they send me an e-mail saying your page is down again dummy.
All I have to do is click "Restart Apache" and everything seems to work again. Can anyone offer some advise here. I too am running Zone Alarm - I'm wondering if another app that I'm running might be causing Apache to stop.
How can I check this? The access log and error logs do not indicate any problems. And my apache taskbar icon indicates that Apache is still running (green arrow instead of red spot) I even tried to automate regular restarts (like every hour) in order to refresh the server. I was unable to do that successfully - but really I shouldn't have to.
So why does this happen? and if I can't figure that out, what can I do to automate timed restarts of Apache without being at my computer?
Thanks

[Carla Schroder]

gaahh, I wish I could help, but I've been googling until my eyeballs bleed, and all I find are other people with the same question, but no answer. Maybe the Microsoft Knowledge Base will help, though I didn't find anything there either. http://support.microsoft.com/

One thing to look for- are you running Apache as a service?

[Arbutis]

don't think so. what do you mean? I run it as a web server.

[Carla Schroder]

If you're running servers, you really need to understand what services are. Also, it's basic security to control what services are running, especially on a malware-friendly platform like Windows. See this article for a good overview:
http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Controlling-Windows-Services-Service-Accounts.html

Apache can be run on Windows as either a service, or from the console. This page tells all, http://httpd.apache.org/docs/2.0/platform/windows.html.en
I don't know if this has anything to do with your issue, but it's worth trying since running Apache as a service is considered more reliable.

[Arbutis]

I will certainly look at those sites - thanks.
In the mean time - can anyone help with the problem of my Apache server not running at certain times? Thanks

[Carla Schroder]

Did you try running Apache as service?

[Arbutis]

it is

[Carla Schroder]

Here is a troubleshooting guide that should help:
http://www.spikesource.com/docs/cs_1.6.0-linux/doc/apache/apache_troubleshoot.html#Windows