I'm currently running Debian, and had apache working perfectly...I upgraded to apache2 and then decided I didn't want it, so I uninstalled it. And here's where I did something really STUPID...it looked like apache2 was still booting up (along with apache1.whatever), so I erased ALL the apache2 related files off my system. And while apache still started when I rebooted, I couldn't access by page from my browser ("connection refused" error). I realized I f*&@!d up, so I tried reinstalling apache2. It reinstalled, but I guess it didn't reinstall all of those files I erased...and it doesn't work either (although it does START apache2 upon bootup).

I tried reinstalling apache1 AND 2, reconfiguring apache1 and 2, completely purging apache2 form my system, reinstalling it...then completely purging apache2, the reinstalling apache1...all to no avail...none of these worked.

I can't figure out a way to do a COMPLETE reinstall that intalls all of those files on the system that it did when it FIRST installed....I don't get it. (And I don't know why apache1 doesn't work after removing apache2 from the system).

I tried looking at the logs for both versions but honestly can't make heads or tails of them...I saw no errors or anything that I could make sense of.

Keep in mind...I'm a bit of a newbie and really have NO IDEA what I'm doing (obviously). I feel like a dumb-ass...but can anyone help?!

have you looked at the config file?, httpd.conf? Try erasing the config directory and then reinstalling. Some installers will skip adding the config files if it finds them there. You may be using the wrong files for your current version of apache. Just a guess.

That worked! I thought reconfiguring apache WOULD have replaced any relevant conf files...but I guess it didn't. Brilliant! Thanks!

I'm gladd I could help