Installation instructions Windows

1. Install webserver and database FIRST!

Archimedes CMS is web application, which means: it needs a webserver (Apache & PHP) and a database (MariaDB or MySQL) to run.
This can be achieved via a PHP hosting company, you can run it on your local computer or local network server, even some NASses (like Synology) have these programs installed.

When you want to host your database and webserver locally, you can download these programs in one convenient package with a handy Graphical User Interface control panel.
Here are 2 packages that basically do the same thing:

Make sure to start the following services in the XAMPP/WAMP control panel every time your computer starts:

  • Apache
  • MySQL or MariaDB

2. Install CMS

To install the CMS itself:

  1. Download Archimedes via our download page.
    On Github click on the green button “code” and select “Download zip” from the pull down menu that appears.
  2. Extract the zip file to your computer
  3. Upload the files to your host, i.e. with FTP.
    1. Look for the “public” directory that corresponds with your webhost.
      You can recognize this directory by searching for a index.html file that is inside, which is automatically installed when installing Apache.
      • This is directory often called “html”, “public_html”, “public”, “htdocs”, “www” or “www_docs” (depending on the hosting company)
      • The location is often “c:\xampp\htdocs” when using XAMPP on Windows.
      • The location is often “/var/www/html” on Linux.
    2. Copy the contents of the “public” directory from your ZIP file into the public directory you looked up in step 3.1.
      This makes only the files available to everyone that need to be exposed for the app to operate.
    3. Copy all the other directories one directory-level below the public directory from step 3.1.
      This makes files invisible that don’t need to be exposed to everyone, like the configuration and logfiles.
      You could choose other locations on the computer for these directories when you edit the bootstrap.php file in directories which locates the bootstrap_app.php file which boots the actual application.
  4. Run the installer: http(s)://[host.com]/install
    When you use XAMPP, the address is: http://localhost/install
  5. Choose the option “install” and follow the steps in the installer.
    The installer will automatically:
    • create configuration files
    • create a database
    • insert data in the database (like countries and languages)
    • create a new user. You can choose your own username and password to log in.
  6. Log in.
    In the last screen of the installer, you’ll see an installation report and a button to log in.
    • Note down the details shown in this screen, most notably: admin panel url (which is different for each installation), username and password.
    • Click on the button “Log in”
    • You will be taken to the login screen of the admin panel where you can enter your username and password.
  7. Add extra IP addresses
    When you log in to the Admin Panel, Archimedes looks at a list of approved IP addresses to keep unwanted visitors out.
    By default only the IP address from which you installed the application is approved to log in.
    To add extra IP addresses:
    • log in to the admin panel
    • go to the main menu on the left side: click “Security”
    • tab: “whitelist”
    • button “add”.

3. Sending email on Windows

If you want Archimedes to be able to send you emails, follow this tutorial: send emails on Windows with XAMPP.

Install password

The installer is protected with a “install password” to prevent accidents with malicious actors when you forget to disable the installer.

On each install, the install-password will change for security reasons!

When you first install Archimedes CMS a new install-password is automatically choosen for you and temporarily stored in the session,
so you won’t be prompted for it.
But when you want do change your installation, you will be asked for this install-password.

You can find install password here:

  1. Go to the settings screen in the admin panel
  2. Tab “maintenance”
  3. Section “installer”

Upgrade

To upgrade Archimedes:

  1. Enable the installer
    • go to the settings screen in the admin panel,
    • tab “maintenance”
    • Click “enable installer”
    • Copy the installer password
  2. Start the installer by clicking on “start installer”
  3. in the menu, choose: “upgrade” and click “next”.
    When you are prompted for the install password, paste it.

Uninstall

To uninstall Archimedes CMS:

  1. Enable the installer
    • go to the settings screen in the CMS,
    • tab “maintenance”
    • Click “enable installer”
    • Copy the installer password
  2. Start the installer by clicking on “start installer”.
  3. in the menu, choose: “uninstall”.
    When you are prompted for the install password, paste it.
  4. choose: “uninstall” from the menu, and click “next”
    • this will remove database data
  5. remove all uploaded files from your webhost / local computer.
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