Apache startup/conflict issues (newbie)

Hello, I'm running OSX 10.4.11, and I'm trying to use Apache, MYSQL and php to create a dynamic site. The site has been created in Dreamweaver CS3, and I downloaded the MAMP package - my site is located in its 'htdocs' folder.

MAMP worked OK with Dreamweaver for a time but out of nowhere, I suddenly couldn't preview pages. The browser would return a "could not connect to the server “localhost”" error.

Since this happened I've started trying to configure Apache, per instructions in the PHP/MYSQL guidebook I've been using - this involved running commands like 'apachectl start' (my first encounter with terminal). But now I find out that as a MAMP user I didn't need to do this, and that now I have two conflicting versions of Apache running - Apple and MAMP.

Now when I start MAMP I get a red light for Apache, and clicking 'start servers' does nothing.

In System Prefs/Sharing I have checked that 'personal web sharing' ticked (per advice I found elsewhere).

And for the record, when I typed 'apachectl start', I got:

Processing config directory: /private/etc/httpd/users/*.conf
Processing config file: /private/etc/httpd/users/simonburgess.conf
fopen: Permission denied
httpd: could not open error log file /private/var/log/httpd/error_log.
/usr/sbin/apachectl start: httpd could not be started



All help much appreciated

My guess is that you now have 2 versions of Apache and MSQL running at the same time.

FRom what I can see MAMP has its own start servers panel, while turning on personal web sharing in network preferences has most likely started up OSX's built in Apache server

see this forum
MAMP Forum • View topic - MAMP, OS X and Personal Web Sharing

Thanks for the response, my assumption is indeed that I have two versions running, I'd really appreciate if someone could give me a simple workaround f the problem, based on the evidence above, or tell me what extra info I need to provide in order to get a solution.

I am a total novice at terminal commands, using MAMP and basically this whole area. I need to get it so that the Apache version of MAMP is the only one running and make sure the Apple/OSX install of it is not conflicting.

...update

Have unchecked 'web sharing' to disable the OSX Apache, rebooted and reinstalled MAMP. Now getting a green light for apache but still have a "could not connect to the server “localhost”." error in the browser.

Any ideas anyone?