Virtual test on local host - how to?

[mrhinckley]

I've search the web and I've search the Joomla help topics and I've search the user groups/forums for help. I've not found the help I need so I am asking here.

Were can I find step-by-step instructions for copying an existing joomla website and saving it to a local drive so I can run it virtually from localhost? I want to take an existing joomla website, make changes and test those changes offline/on my computer.

These instructions I seek need to be for a layperson/totally new to any kind of website creation or programming. (Even some of the sites that claim to offer this instruction assume some knowledge of programming.)

Any suggestions?

To repeat: I need to find baby-step by baby-step instructions for saving an existing joomla website and running it virtually from my computer.

Thank you!

[sozzled]

Taking the "baby-step" approach (rather than attempting to offer the whole recipe in one hit): do you have PC-based webhosting software installed on your computer? If so, what "brand" of PC-hosting software have you installed? Operating system software aside, is the PC-based environment configured more or less similarly to the environment that you're taking the existing website from?

FWIW, you may be interested in some light background reading: viewtopic.php?f=48&t=925348

[Webdongle]

Install Akeeba https://docs.joomla.org/Copying_a_Joomla_website#Akeeba ... when installing on localhost the database is created. When you are happy with the changes then remove all the Joomla files from the server before copying (the edited site) back to the server.

[AMurray]

Additional resources about copying/moving Joomla sites:

https://docs.joomla.org/Copying_a_Joomla_website

viewtopic.php?t=187461

https://www.joomlart.com/blog/joomla-te ... eba-backup

At very least the above will be some helpful reading.

[mrhinckley]

Thank you! I will read the material you suggested.

[mrhinckley]

I've attempted to follow the instructions and I received the following error:

"Error displaying the error page: Application Instantiation Error: Failed to start the session"

Can someone explain what I have done wrong?

[Webdongle]

What localhost are you using and what is your operating system

[Gany]

Okay, let's start with the local host first.

Install Wampp, Xampp, Lamp or Mampp or your machine. They do essentially the same, on different OS. It's to have an internet environment without being online. Running a CMS on your local machine without them is impossible.

Once you've done that, go to the htdocs or www folder and create a new folder in it. Let's call it my-joomla'.

Now download and install Joomla in your my-joomla folder.

First thing to install after Joomla is up and running is Akeeba backup.
Make a backup. Delete the my-joomla folder, after you've saved that backup elsewhere.
Delete your site + database, restore your backup.

Once you are familiar with both, you can make a backup of your real site, and do the same.