i can view the files on my apache server (which runs off of my computer) perfectly using localhost.....but when someone tries to access my server using (WAN IP Address) it prompts them for a username and password?!?!?! WHAT IS CAUSING THIS??? I never had this problem before on my old apache server!! plz help!!

What is being looked at? Static web pages, FTP files, other? Standard web pages shouldn't have this unless you've set it up to require authentication to access the site. FTP or other files may be setup for anonymous or authorized access.

If this is a base install of just Apache, then take a look at the config files and see what the settings are; the comments should be able to direct you to what you're looking for. If this is part of a package, e.g. WAMP, then the default values may need to be changed; the documentation w/ your package should tell you what the defaults are and where to change them.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

its a basically a static webpage and im using a base install of apache...i even took the httpd.conf file from my old server and edited the ip address and the same rpoblem is still ocurring...btw this i a pic my friend sent me of what happened when he tried to access my server:



i dont even have an index.htm file!! (i do have an index.html file though, does that make a differnce?)

(the censored stuff in the pic is my ip address for security purposes)

When you installed Apache, did you get the default "Welcome to Apache" screen when you looked your home page? If not, then there's something wrong w/ the setup itself.

You should also make sure Apache has the right directory listed for your web pages. There was a subdirectory change from Apache to Apache2, IIRC.

Does it make a difference if you try to access the page via the Internet rather than localhost?

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Yeah, when I installed Apache I got the "It Works!" screen. Also I specified the right folder and set the correct folder for "doc_root" in my httpd.conf file.


^^^^YES!! This is the problem. My website works perfectly from localhost but not when others try to view it via the internet. Is there a solution to this?

Sorry if I didn't clarify. I'm aware that others can't access your server. I was just curious if you, yourself can access when you don't use localhost. If your system can access it both locally and remotely, then it's a problem with the other people. If you can only get into it locally, then it's a problem w/ the Apache server.

Which version of Apache are you using? Is it standalone or part of a package, e.g. WAMP? You might try using the opposite of what you're currently using and see what happens, i.e. if you're currently using a stand-alone version of Apache, download WAMP and try that.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

Do you have a router?

If you have a cable modem or DSL and more than one PC in your house/office, you probably have a network-address-translation (NAT) router that allows multiple PC's to use one external IP address. If that's the case, it's the router, not Apache on your PC that is putting up the login dialog.

The solution is to log into the router and configure it to forward all port 80 packets to your PC.

I forgot about "firewall" issues. This is probably the most likely problem you're having.

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Common Sense v2.0-Striving to make the world a little bit smarter.

check for a .htaccess file in the same directory as the file that is prompting for a username and password. Use ls -alf because it's a hidden file. If you see one delete it.