PHP / cURL on Windows install: "The specified module could not be found."

Question

I'm running PHP 5.2.3 on Windows 2000 Server with IIS 5. I'm trying to get cURL working, so in my php.ini file, I have this line:

extension_dir ="F:\PHP\ext"

And later, I have:

extension=php_curl.dll

The file F:\PHP\ext\php_curl.dll exists, but when I try to run any PHP script, I get this in the error log:

PHP Warning: PHP Startup: Unable to load dynamic library 'F:\PHP\ext \php_curl.dll' - The specified module could not be found. in Unknown on line 0

Answer 1

Problem solved!

Although the error message said The specified module could not be found, this is a little misleading -- it's not that it couldn't find phpcurl.dll, but rather it couldn't find a module that phpcurl.dll required. The 2 DLLs it requires are libeay32.dll SSLeay32.dll.

So, you have to put those 2 DLLs somewhere in your PATH (e.g., C:\Windows\system32). That's all there is to it.

HOWEVER, even that did not work for me initially. So I downloaded the Windows zip of the latest version of PHP, which includes all the necessary DLLs. I didn't reinstall PHP, I just copied all of the DLLs in the "ext" folder to my PHP extensions folder (as specified in the extension_dir variable in php.ini), and I copied the versions of libeay32.dll and SSLeay32.dll from the PHP download into my System32 directory.

I also did an iisreset, but I don't know if that was necessary.

Answer 2

A tip is to use the WAMP-installer. Everything just works. It's not IIS though - so if it is important - you should ignore my advice. ;)

EDIT: I saw that you found the solution so I voted it up. +1

Answer 3

i am not sure if its that simple (and your right about the "basics" but for starters the php version installed is bundled with a server (all in one) to run a joomla site on a localhost, so it gets a bit more complicated, no i was not BLAMING anyone, just pointing out the facts that it is not exactly easy (As tons of posts will show by doing a google search) to get these things working,

blame is in the diffuculty in not the programming, but the explanation or instructions to implement it,

on a final note youll ahve to excuse me for my sarcasm, that psot was written after tiring hours of frustration, im not exactly a newb to all this, but i still stand where i was then, no curl lib working

if you care to offer some help i would be glad to lsiten!

Answer 4

I have the same experience with Magento as the "ONE PISSED OFF PERSON". Same curl problem

Answer 5

I am genuinely laughing my ass off! I do feel your pain. I'm very sorry for your situation because I've been there. Your rant falls on fertile ground, my friend. Please rant. Don't stop. Continue.