[SOLVED] Apache is not starting

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:32 PM

When I try to start Apache2 (apachectl start) the command prompt returns right away. But when I check the processes (ps ax) I can't find httpd. And when I try to hit the server from a browser I get "the page cannot be displayed" error. How can I figure out whats wrong and fix it?

Elv13 · 01-07-2010, 02:34 PM

Depending on your distribution, the process can be called apache too. And try
sudo /etc/init.d/apache start
or
sudo /etc/init.d/httpd start
or
service apache start

depending on your unspecified distribution.

EricTRA · 01-07-2010, 02:37 PM

Hello and Welcome to LinuxQuestions,

Have you checked your log files for any errors? If there are, please post them here too.

Kind regards,

Eric

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:38 PM

Thanks. But none of that works.

Elv13 · 01-07-2010, 02:40 PM

You did not specified your distribution, it's kind of hard to help you.

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:40 PM

I am running SUSE. Is that what you mean?

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:41 PM

where is the log file stored and what is the name of it?

EricTRA · 01-07-2010, 02:42 PM

Hi,

Also please post what distro you are using as indicated by Elv13, so we have an idea of what commands to indicate to you.

Kind regards,

Eric

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:51 PM

EricTRA · 01-07-2010, 02:55 PM

Hello,

Now that that's in the clear, I don't have any experience with Suse and/or OpenSuse, but I imagine there are logs in there also. Maybe even in the same location as most of the distros, nl. /var/log.

Can you have a look in there and check if there's a directory called apache or apache2, or httpd? Maybe there's even a httpd.log in the /var/log/ directory. Can you check what, if any, errors it contains? Also check /var/log/messages and /var/log/syslog for errors in regard to the httpd/apache process. Post any relevant information here please.

Kind regards,

Eric

dcinadr · 01-07-2010, 02:59 PM

Thank you for the help. I was able to find the error_log file in /var/log/apache2 directory. And there was an error that indicated it was not able to create the httpd.pid file in /usr/local/apache2/logs directory because that directory didn't exist. So created the directory and everything seems to work fine now.

Thanks again for the help.

EricTRA · 01-07-2010, 03:54 PM

Hi,

You're welcome. Sorry for the late reply but my internet has the hick-up and fails on me like every 5 minutes. Glad you solved it, have fun using Linux.

If you consider the problem solved then please mark this thread as such using the Thread Tools.

Kind regards,

Eric