Joomla Installation

Just before you begin the Joomla installation process do a check to ensure the following:

1A) That a MySQL database named Joomla has been created on your local computer.

1B) That a MySQL user named Joomla has been created on your local computer with appropriate password protection.

NOTE: Details of how to do this have been given in the Create the MySQL database and User tutorial on this website.

2) That virtual domain entries for Joomla have been made in Apache's httpd.conf file and httpd-vhost.conf files to ensure that Apache knows of the existence the Joomla folder beneath the folder public_html.

3) That ip to domain name binding for Joomla has been done within the HOSTS file.

NOTE: Details of how to do this have been given in The Joomla Virtual Domain tutorial on this website.

Joomla! actually installs itself with minimal intervention on your part.

You had earlier downloaded the Joomla .zip file and unzipped its contents to D:\joomla.

NOTE: Have a quick look at the Download Joomla tutorial on this website if you have not.

Copy all the folders and files from within D:\joomla to D:\public_html\joomla

You are now poised to commence the Joomla CMS installation on your local computer

Open your Browser and in its address bar enter: www.localjoomla.com i.e. the domain name entry made in the HOSTS file.

This will automatically invoke index.php within the joomla folder. When index.php executes, the Joomla installation process is started. You have to first select the language that Joomla will use after its installed.

We have selected en-US English (US). Then click Next in the Browser window as shown in Diagram 1.

Diagram 1

Pre-Installation checks for Joomla {Version - Number} Stable are executed and the screen as shown in diagram 2 will be displayed in the Browser.

Diagram 2

Then click Next in the Browser window to continue the Joomla Installation process.

NOTE: If you notice the Display Errors attribute showing On in red. Ignore this for the time being

This page is full of useful information. Use the vertical scroll bar and scroll through the contents of the page. Read the information displayed carefully. Click Next when done

The screen as shown in Diagram 3 is displayed in the Browser window. This is the Joomla! License screen.

Diagram 3

Then click Next in the Browser window to continue the Joomla Installation process.

The MySQL database configuration screen appears as shown in diagram 4.

NOTE: The MySQL database named Joomla has been previously created on your local computer.

NOTE: The MySQL user named Joomla has been previously created on your local computer with appropriate password protection.

It´s now time to enter these details into the Joomla installation form as shown in diagram 4.

From the Database Type drop down list box select MySQL.

In the Host Name text box enter localhost.

In the User Name text box enter joomla exactly as you created it. In this case all characters were lowercase.

NOTE: Ensure that you enter the User Name exactly as you created it. In this case all characters were lowercase.

In the Password text box enter your MySQL User password.

NOTE: Ensure that you enter the password exactly as you created it. i.e. Pay careful attention to any Upper and Lower case characters, numbers and/or special characters used

In the Database Name text box enter the MySQL database name created earlier i.e. joomla exactly as you created it. In this case all characters were lowercase.

Please ignore the Advanced Settings for the time being. Click Next to continue as shown in Diagram 4.

Diagram 4

The FTP Configuration screen is then displayed in the Browser as shown in Diagram 5

Simply click Next and by pass this data entry screen for the time being.

Diagram 5

The Joomla Main Configuration screen will be displayed in the Browser as shown in diagram 6

In the Joomla Main Configuration screen:

In the Site Name text box enter this website´s name www.localjoomla.com.

In the Your Email text box enter this website´s admininstrator Email ID {Enter an appropriate Email ID}.

In the Admin Password text box enter this website´s admininstrator password {Enter an appropriate administrator password}.

In the Confirm Admin Password text box enter the identical password as the one entered above.

NOTE: Write the administrator password down and keep it safe. You will need it to login into your Joomla, website administration system.

Since you are a first time Joomla user do install the default sample data. To do this simply select the Install Default Sample Data radio button (if its not selected) and Click the Button Install Sample Data

The Joomla sample data is installed and the Button changes to read Sample data installed successfully. Take a look at the diagrams below for guidance.

Diagram 6

Diagram 7

Diagram 8

Click Next. You should get a message saying Congratulations! Joomla is now installed as shown in Diagram 9

Diagram 9

Now take a Bow. You´ve successfully installed Joomla CMS on your local computer

NOTE: There is one small but important job left before you can test your Joomla CMS installation.

Navigate to D:\public_html\joomla folder on your computer and delete the installation folder.

NOTE: The Joomla website will not run until you do. A warning to this effect is prominantly displayed in the last screen as shown in Diagram 9

Navigate to D:\public_html\joomla and delete the installation directory.

Now simply enter: www.localjoomla.com in your Browser's address bar and click GO.

Your Joomla website will be displayed in your Browser´s window.

This is because the Joomla install process setup a default template and then uses this template to show you a default website. Easy as pie.

Congratulations!!!! you´ve just installed Joomla CMS successfully on your local computer.