forcing a program to run in the background?

[Geo-Fry]

how can i force a program to be running, but not have a window up? im running an apache server, and the version i have requires a console window to be open (a while ago i had apache but i dont remember there being any kind of window). then i also have to have another window open for mysql. i dont mind them that much, but im afraid someone in my family will exit them and shutdown my server, even if i specificly tell them not too. someone would forget, or my siblings would just not care, or something and my site would be down. is there a way i can force them to the sytem tray or just make them a process or even just make the window invisible? although it would have to be out of the task bar too.
also, is there anyway i can make mysql and apache start when the computer is started? im on xp home and i can get it to load when someone logs on but i want it to start and be running even if no one is logged on, how can i do that?

[confuted]

You can configure apache to run without the console window. You'll have to install it as a service. It's in the apache help files.

The MySQL window is just a configuration window, I believe. You can close it, can't you?

[Geo-Fry]

ok ill do that for apache, thx for the help

as for your advice on mysql, unfortunatly not, i tried that and once i exited the window, my sql stopped. any other ideas anyone?

<edit>
ok i looked through the apache config, and i couldnt find where to make it a service. i didnt dl it from the apache site, instead its part of a program called xampp.

[anonytmouse]

Have a look at this:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Oper..._20638038.html

[confuted]

Meh, just do it the easy way for apache.
http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.0/pla...ws.html#winsvc

Edit:
Perhaps this site will have the documentation you need for MySQL.