can't start Apache using xampp

If browser is blank but doesn't report any error, it may be that the default index.html of xampp is blank and apache is actually running.  Btw, you didn't provide your OS but I assume it's Windows - have you checked if any firewall is blocking it?  Open the command prompt and run "telnet localhost 80" -> what do you get?

yes, windows 7

I tried that code in command prompt but it says 'telnet' is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program or batch file.

http://www.fettesps.com/windows-7-enable-telnet/

okay, I installed it.  now after running telnet localhost 80 in cmd prompt it is just a blank screen

Unless MS has come up with a very weird implementation of telnet or a firewall is making it wait, it would have given a timeout or connection refused error if Apache wasn't running, so it's likely Apache is running.  If you're sure your firewall settings are okay, look for the default index.html that came with the package and see what it contains.  If it's blank, put some text in it then reload your browser.

Open the httpd.config - you can find it in xampp\apache\config directory- and search for this line:

Listen 80

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Change it to:

Listen 8080

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Then restart all the Apache service or XAMPP.

After restarting, enter in your browser the url:

localhost:8080

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@fishboy2000sd : I'm curious this is needed - does Windows 7 reserve or block port 80 ?

@johanntagle not always but often there is a program use the port 80. May be an old installation of Apache or something like this.

It should be UAC problem, please disable it.
To disable the UAC, use the program "msconfig". In "msconfig" go to "Tools", select "disable user account control" and verify your selection. Now you must restart Windows. At the same place, you can enable the UAC again.

http://www.apachefriends.org/en/faq-xampp-windows.html

UAC is set to Never Notify.

Also, when I have xampp up and click Start next to Apache, for a split second, it says "running", (and Start turns to Stop), then goes back to Start button.  I don't believe apache is running locally.

After setting UAC, need to restart to Machine.

I also had same experience and after setting UAC and restart the machine, apache was running correctly.

Okay, I rebooted my machine.  Still I get same experience with Apache not running.

Did you try to change the listening port?

yes, I tried that but still nothing

wamp worked after I uninstalled mcafee.  Thanks for the suggestion!

You are welcome