WAMP Re-install causes error: Could not execute… The service has not been started

Question

Full error reads:

Could not execute menu item (internal error)
[Exception] Could not perform service action:
The service has not been started

After doing a bit of googling, this problem should be caused by another service/process that's using the port I'm trying to use (80). When I go to Wamp->Apache->Services->Test port 80, it appears some OTHER apache program is using that port. I'm not sure where it is or how it got there, but I can't find it installed anywhere.

Additionally, attempts to stop the Apache service that's taking up the port gives me another error:

The operation could not be completed.
Access is denied.

Answer 1

You can use the netstat utility included with windows to find out what executables are using which ports, however it doesn't tell you their location. It will, at least, tell you the file name, that will you enable you to kill it in task manager and then find the program in your hard disk via a search.

To use it open a command prompt in windows (start>run cmd in xp or below, or start and type "cmd" in the search box in vista and above) then, in the blacked out window that shows up, type "netstat -b", this will list all processes that are listening on the network and list what ports they're using. If they list is longer than you can scroll, which is often the case if you have a lot installed on the computer, you can output the results to a text file to view once the program has finished running. To do this type "netstat-b >c:\output.txt". The command prompt will take a few seconds to run the program and then come back to another prompt when it's completed, once it has take a look in the root of the C: drive and you'll see the text file.

Bear in mind a lot of programs will use a web interface if you install something that includes the ability to access it via a browser, this can include programs like tversity and utorrent.