Sandbox

Many people are afraid of or lack the knowledge to install a testserver on the home computer or server. We receive many questions related to this topic so we are pleased to support the Joomla! users to introduce our JooMaDesk UniformServer-Tutorial for installing the Uniformserver, creating databases and database users as well as installing Joomla-core in one run on your testing equipment. You will learn the ease and power  of the installation, the engine and we are absolutely sure that this tutorial will make your life much more easier! With Uniform Server (or equivalent systems in all cases) you are able to test all applications, components/etc outside your operational environment and it will reduce your bandwidth usage and in many cases also decrease telephone bills. Follow the steps and you are up and running locally within 15 minutes (depending on your download-time).

Now let's start the race!
Step 1: Get the download link

In the first step we will download the Uniform server engine to our PC or server.
Please visit  www.uniformserver.com and click the link as shown in the PrScn



Step 2: Download the.zip

Choose the file as presented in the PrScn.
It is always good to save with .zip instead of an executable.
You have the chance to scan the file on virus-presence and save it for later re-use.





Step 3: Extract (= install)

Extract the .zip to a location of your choice.
Any hard-disk will do but do not place it in My Documents or so.
Just create a separate folder for it in any of your drives.
Extract = Install here so be assured where you want to extract to!.
A good and free compression tool is 7-zip. Download that one here: www.7-zip.org
It is our standard compression tool.


Step 4: Start Server

Once you have extracted the server to its location you are ready to go! No installation procedure...just run the server!
Do not be surprised. The server will upon start create a "virtual" disk to run on called "w" .
Any uploads you do to the original location, e.g disk "c" or "d" or whatever you have extracted the server to.



Step 5: Start MySQL

This does not need much explanation!
If you have used the VB-script in the former step instead of the MSDos-command,
you can scip this step because in that case MySQL is already started.




Step 6: Open DB-Admin

Now we will start the DataBase administrator called phpMyAdmin.
We are going to do that because we want to create o0ur first database which we will later use for Joomla!
Just follow the instructions on the picture!
The address in your browser should state here: http://localhost/apanel/phpMyAdmin/



Step 7: Create New DB

We will create the DB we will later use with the installation of Joomla!
Type the name "demo" and click create... Do not change anything else!




Step 8: Set DB-privileges

You want to be sure of course that only those people who are allowed have access to your DB,
so we are going to set user/password and what the new user is allowed to do.



Step 9: Create New User

First we create a new user.
You will see that the Server comes already with two users...Leave them alone.
Just click "ad new user" as shown



Step 10: Enter New User Data

Be precise and follow the steps as shown.
Username: demo. Password: User. Host: choose "local" from the pull-down menu.
Give the new user "all privileges" as shown and proceed to the next step.




Step 11: Server Installed!

Congratulations!
Your test-server is installed and your first DB created.....
Never thought it would be that simple would you?
Now up to the hard part: installing Joomla!



Step 12: Prepare Joomla installation

Download the latest version from www.joomla.org.
Extract to the location where you installed the server (see PrScn) and follow the remainder of the instructions to bring up the pre-installation check from Joomla!



Step 13: Pre-install Check Joomla

Since we are on local server we normally do not have to bother or worry about permissions.
All files should be writable as shown so click "next"


Step 14: License-stuff

Legal stuff......Read if you like it and click "next"



Step 15: Data Base Configuration

Now it get's serious! Be precise and follow exactly what is stated.
You need to enter the data as given in the creation of the database before.
Just follow the PrScn and you will be fine. Do NOT change the prefix jos_ (!) AND "check" the "install sample data"
This makes it easier for you to understand the mechanism of Joomla!



Step 16: Confirmation

Just a confirmation.
It basically asks you to check once again the data you have entered before populating the database with tables and data of Joomla! Verify! Double check is NEVER wrong! If correct click "OK"


Step 17: Name of your site

Enter the name of your site as will be shown in the browser: eg.
JooMaDesk: Professional Joomla & Mambo Support!
It is not critical if you make a mistake.
You can modify it later in the admin-panel's configuration section!



Almost done!!

Step 18: Final Steps

You need to add here your email address and that is more important " your admin password"
Change the system generated password in something you can remember.
We used "user2" here.
Remember you are only on a local server here with no outside/external access (normally)



Step 19: Installation done!

Congratulations you are ready!.
One last step is being asked to perform which is an important one.
However we advise you NOT to delete the installation folder...
Just RENAME it to "installation1" or something and it is out of the attention.
If you later need to use the core once again you only have to rename it back to "installation" and you are done and can reinstall again




Step 20: YOU MADE IT!

You are a pro!
You installed a real Apache/MySQL/PHP-server with the best DB-admin system in the world, you created a new database, a new database user and installed on that new database the entire Joomla-application.
This is awesome! 




Recap links::

Joomla!
http://joomla.org/
Uniformserver
http://uniformserver.com
7-Zip
http://7-zip.org

Think this is useful! 

Leo

nice clean installation guide but only this is not an install from a Joomla 1.5 version which is a little different with it's FTP issues.
So this item should be removed from here - since this area is for the 1.5 discussions - or it should be updated to the 1.5 version.

Thanks.

This area 'Tips & Tricks' is outside the 1.5 section, so this doesn't apply.

indeed I noticed it to late when I already triggered the post button. 
Sorry.
but still it is a need install guide.

Combine this with the installation manual at http://help.joomla.org/, and you should also be able to install.

We will update this as soon as we have J1.5 Stable released.....

cheers
Leo

I tried Wamp5 and JSAS as local server alternatives but in both cases I got php errors with required and included php files as well as with urls partly made up of a mosconfig bit. This was because, as I understand it, the urls on a Windows pc do not work out in the same way as on an online server. Is there any reason to expect that with this Uniform Server this would be different?

Great I have everything up and running and installed correctly. I need to ask a question though.

I want to make this site public on the net. I can do it while using IIs, but I don't know how to do it with this method. I am using no-ip.com as a way around the cable company blocking port 80. Can anyone help me out?