Dreamweaver test server help!

I’m trying to work on a complex test-site in Dreamweaver (including a connection to a Microsoft Access database). I’m not specifying the appropriate localroot folder for the site to be able to preview on the internet. We only have operating system XP, not XP professional. We’ve tried to download IIS, which none of them work with our operating system. One book I have has had me try to install Apache, MySQL, and PHP which hasn’t worked real well either. And that book didn’t explain where I could find my “rootfolder” either. I know how to choose the local root folder. Is it already somewhere on my hard-drive or do I just make one up? But the remote folder and testing server folder are beyond me. I’m trying to choose ASP VBScript for this dynamic webpage, but I can’t even view the results on an internet page. HELP!!!!

Thank you.

Your post is a little confusing!

You should stick with Apache 2.0 as your webserver. It should work fine on windows XP. IIS will only complicate things.

Your "rootfolder", I presume you mean your web root. With apache it will be at c:\program files\apache group\apache2\htdocs.

Honestly though, are you building a site, or are you working on an existing site? Because it sounds like your not even sure what language you'll be using! I would recommend php highly if you're not sure what language to use :D. ASP is alright, but it's not great.

The 'remote' server I presume is at a client site or a host? I suspect you'll either use FTP or a vpn to a shared folder to connect to the remote web root.

If you need a particular problem clarified, there are many people here who can help, but your post sort of reads like 'help me build a website!' Vague.

:shrug:

You'll need to upgrade to XP Pro for web server integration. XP by itself, will not support IIS or any other web server.

da

It sounds like you are trying to build a website. It also sounds like you are making it harder on yourself then necessary.

LAMP(Linux, Apache, MySQL, PhP)

And either:

http://xoops.org (great for beginners)

Or

http://joomla.org

This need not be rocket science. If you need a website, it is more important to get a website running and serving information than it is to play with a website. Incessantly. With either package, there will be time to play with Dreamweaver later.

Note: Most good hosting companies already have the servers and the prices you need.

Note2: YOU DO NOT NEED IIS!