Flash drive friendly (portable) XAMPP alternative

apache-http-serverMySQLPHPshutdown

I'm trying to setup a portable MediaWiki wiki on a flash drive using XAMPP portable as a server.

http://lifehacker.com/354005/run-your-personal-wikipedia-from-a-usb-stick

When I try to start apache or mySQL I get this error (paste).

11:19:52 AM [Apache] Error: Apache shutdown unexpectedly.
11:19:52 AM [Apache] This may be due to a blocked port, missing dependencies,
11:19:52 AM [Apache] improper privileges, a crash, or a shutdown by another method.
11:19:52 AM [Apache] Press the Logs button to view error logs and check
11:19:52 AM [Apache] the Windows Event Viewer for more clues
11:19:52 AM [Apache] If you need more help, copy and post this
11:19:52 AM [Apache] entire log window on the forums

I've tried suggestions here to fix the problem. I've tried doing it on a different computer (a different computer in my house, so using the same internet connection) and with older versions of XAMPP. All to no avail. I had apache and mySQL running before but deleted that folder to start fresh after messing up the wiki settings on a new wiki I had made.

How do I fix my problem with XAMPP? I have to use MediaWiki – I'm not interested in tiddlywiki or any alternatives that don't require its own sever, for my needs it has to be MediaWiki. The issue is with the server anyway.

edit:

Since I can't get XAMPP to work I'm going to go with mowes portable instead. Thanks for your help.

Best Answer

Try Wiki-on-a-stick.

The Syntax is somewhat different from Mediawiki, but for my purposes, it was OK (Basically, keep notes in a structured way).

The whole Wiki is a self-contained XHTML file. It lives wherever you put it and is run by your browser. No special software needed!

(Hint: It creates lots of backups of itself - have a fast USB drive or make backups manually and disable them in the tool. When it grows over time, it can end up slowing down its own operation considerably)

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