Getting started

Hello, navcom376. You don’t tell us how you installed WordPress, ie, Xampp, Mamp, a virtual box, or what?

So w/o the needed info, I’m going to make some assumptions, & you know what you do when you do that. However, try typing:
https://localhost/wordpress
replacing wordpress w/whatever folder you installed it to.

Let’s just assume that I am pretty dumb for now (I do learn quickly though). I downloaded “wordpress-4.9.8-en_CA” from the internet, created a folder called WordPress and then extracted all to that folder. So my Explorer tree looks like WordPress/Wordpress etc. I tried your suggestion (http;//wordpress/wordpress) and get “Secure Connection Failed” error. I am usually computer literate but I have not worked with php or sql before. I am able to change the graphics on my web site easily enough by simply going to the phpmyadmin panel at my ISP and replacing the jpj/png files. I am using GIMP and Inkscape to edit and manipulate these files. Easy enough.

navcom376, you’re not dumb, just a newbie. *BIG* difference!

No disrespect intended, but you didn’t exactly do what I suggested. It’s
https://localhost/wordpress/wordpress

I think, were I you, I’d move that WordPress install up so it’s just
https://localhost/wordpress

Have you created the needed database for the site yet? How did you install PHP, MySQL, etc?

Ok, I moved the wordpress file to the top level on my c: drive. Still getting the “Secure Connection Failed” error. If I remember right, I downloaded MySql connector/J from sourceforge. It prompted me to download and install Python and php. Does that make sense?

The site is up and running and has been for some time. Our It person has deserted the ship and kind of left me hanging so I have decided that I will have to at least learn hoe to edit the site for general maintenance. So I guess that means that any needed databases are created and installed at my ISP servers. I am able to change graphics and some content (but not the widgets) using their phpAdmin access.

Apologies. I was using https instead of http. Now I am getting “unable to connect – Firefox can not establish a connection to the server at localhost”. Sorry, I have to leave for a couple of hours (Saturday chores). I appreciate any direction you can give. Should I by using emails instead of the forum?

navcom376, I was actually asking if the database was created on your local machine.

Maybe you should consider
https://bitnami.com/stack/wordpress/installer
instead. It’s rather a 1-click install solution. I think it might be easier for you. Please note this is not an endorsement of any kind, either by www.remarpro.com forum personnel or me personally. I actually use Xampp myself, but I started doing that long before Bitnami, & it’s what I’m used to. Old dogs, new tricks, etc. See if that doesn’t help, ok?

I will try that. Thanks.

I downloaded bitnami-wordpress-4.9.8-2-windows-installer and installed it. I got about 15 error messages while it installed and the only option that works on it seems to be to go to the folder where it resides. I got the idea when I downloaded it that I am expected to create a blog or web site. I not want a blog and the web site is already up and running. I just want to edit the site, specifically, edit the “contactinfo” widget. I have now downloaded and installed WordPress, mySql, php, Python and bitami, and still have no idea how to start WordPress. Can anyone get a little more basic and guide me through just starting it and looking at my existing web site?

OMG, are you serious? I am *so* sorry! All this time I thought you wanted to install WordPress on your local machine. It appears all you really want to do is to work w/your website, & that is *very very* different. I have always said I failed telepathy 101. I hope someone believes me now.

To work on your website, go to:
https://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin
Log in w/your username & password. You’ll (hopefully?) be presented w/a dashboard. Scroll down to ‘Appearance > Widgets’, then click the widget you desire.

Again, navcom376, I am *so* sorry. I could tell you I’m sick, & that would be the truth, but even more truthfully, thick is more like it.

Actually, everywhere I have gone to get help or understanding has automatically assumed that I want to create a blog or web site. The url you recommended “https://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin” does not exist but it does lead to their home page. It seems that it is a place to build a web site, like Godaddy or something like that. I am not interested in building a web site, just maintaining one that is already up and running. The web site has been running for some years and I have had three I.T. guys quit and leave me stranded (seems to be a thing with I.T. guys – they don’t keep notes and when they leave they do not leave tracks for the next guy to follow). Each time that happens I have to pay some new person to learn my web site and that gets frustrating. I don’t think my resolution is with WordPress as the system seems way to complicated to just maintain a web site. I guess I will simply have to hire someone to teach me how to do it. Even the WordPress site assumes that I have a skill set that I do not have. If you can recommend somewhere that I can go to get a VERY basic understanding of how WordPress works I would appreciate it. Other than that I think I will call it a day. Thanks for your help.

navcom376, yoursite.com/wp-admin is not an actual address. yoursite.com is a placeholder for your actual site address, which we don’t have. Is that clearer?

BTW, vnavcom376, it would help greatly if you would please provide the url to your site.

Yeesh, talk about thick!!! That is how little I know right now. I put my website name in (instead of “yoursite”) and, voila the user/password appeared. That is further than I have got in the last three days.Now all I have to do is get the password and at least I can start. I am feeling pretty stupid right now. My website is gsnetworks.ca – Thanks for helping the penny drop…

navcom376, if you can’t remember your password, click the ‘forgot password’ link, & you’ll be emailed a link wherein you can reset it.

I’m so glad we were able to make some progress. I think 1 of the areas of confusion is that many folks actually develop their sites on their computers, &/or test stuff, so that if things explode, they do so on your local box as opposed to your production site. Good thing! I think that’s what we thought you were trying to do.

Everyone has to start somewhere. We were all in your shoes once. I was 8 years ago. Newbie is a scary place to be. But when you admit you don’t know something, it’s the first step toward learning.