Apache 1.3x libphp4.so load error

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Apache 1.3x libphp4.so load error

I have 10.3.9 Server with a vanilla install of Apache and PHP 4.4.11 as shiped by Apple with all security updates applied.

This is a production server that has been serving sites since original install a year or so ago. So, I know that Apache and PHP instance was good (up until recently).

However, after a an apache restart attempt, I an ecountered the following error:

Syntax error on line 143 of/etc/httpd/httpd.conf:Cannot load
/usr/libexec/httpd/libphp4.so into server: (reason unknown).

I checked the http.conf and verified that the php include was correct (nothing was changed):

LoadModule php4_module libexec/httpd/libphp4.so
AddModule mod_php4.c

I also checked the libexec directory and verified libphp4.so was present under /usr/libexec/httpd/libphp4.so

Having googled around and search through this forum, I am at a loss as to how to get around this issue and keep PHP 4 enabled. I am about at my wits end with this and would like to avoid a nuclear option of a complete reinstall from source.

Has anyone run into this issue in the past? How can I address this issue?

TIA

G5 Dual 1.8 Mac OS X (10.3.9) OS X Server 10.3.9, Apache/1.3.33, PHP 4.4.1 with MySQL support (stock server config)

Posted on Jul 21, 2006 9:04 AM

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Answer 1

Jul 22, 2006 12:30 PM in response to GrainFocuser

Kind of an obvious question, but is there a syntax error on or around line 143? What if you just run "apachectl configtest", without trying to start Apache and load the module? Does it give any better information?

I thought I remembered reading about someone having problems with the module somewhat recently, and it turned out that recompiling PHP seemed to be the solution taken (not sure if it's the only solution).

When something goes "wrong" like that, I'm sure you'd prefer to address it rather than avoid it. You can, however, install a PHP4 module on the system that would not interfere with the Apple installation. It would get PHP4 back up-and-running for now so you could try to continue to work on a solution.

Marc Liyanage still offers a PHP4 module download for 10.3 and 10.4 systems.
http://www.entropy.ch/software/macosx/php/
The all the module components get installed in /usr/local/php and a couple lines get added to your httpd.conf file to load that module instead of the default one. It doesn't replace it, and you can simply comment out the Entropy module lines and uncomment the Apple module lines when you're ready to switch back. Just in case you have customers waiting for their PHP functionality to be restored.

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