Flash drive friendly (portable) XAMPP alternative?

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

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.

4 Answers

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)

This mature project - Denwer works from USB flash, the only issue that the website is all in Russian. Automatic translation by Google

The main feature of Denver - convenience when working remotely on several independent projects and the possibility of placing a Flash-Drive

Direct download of current version

I have been using Uniform Server for a long time for this purpose. The versions of Uniform Server that seems to meet your criterion is MiniServers_MediaWiki, which is a version of Uniform Server with MediaWiki pre-installed. Otherwise you can try the generic servers: either Coral or ZeroXI. More information is available through the Uniform Server wiki.

I am not connected with Uniform Server in any way.

The Best XAMPP Alternative that is portable that I have used is a program called EasyPHP DevServer. It's free and compatible with Windows.

This does not need administrative rights so you can load this straight off a USB stick without needing permissions.