# Help a new guy set up server to use PHP's mail() function

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/help-a-new-guy-set-up-server-to-use-phps-mail-function/37467>\
**Category:** programming\
**Created:** [December 10, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/help-a-new-guy-set-up-server-to-use-phps-mail-function/37467 "2003-12-10T16:10:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Bodom78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@Bodom78](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Bodom78)\
**Post date:** [December 10, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/help-a-new-guy-set-up-server-to-use-phps-mail-function/37467/1 "2003-12-10T16:10:15Z")

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I have been trying to get a flash email form to work, most info gathered from tutorials and posts found on these forums but with no success. Now I have only learnt about Apache Server and PHP in the past 2 days so Im alittle overwhelmed from all the info intake :puzzled:

Im using WinXP with the latest Apache HTTP server and PHP, both installed to defult settings following the manuals included. Submitting a Flash form does nothing, submitting a basic html form returns the following error:

**Warning: mail(): “sendmail\_from” not set in php.ini or custom “From:” header missing in c:\server\apache\htdocs\mail.php on line 6**

I checked the php4.ini located in my Windows Directory and it’s current settings are:

```php

[mail function]
; For Win32 only.
SMTP = localhost

; For Win32 only.
sendmail_from = actual email address here

```

I have used google to try and find a solution but it’s only confused me more. I came across “sendmail” quite alot but I see it’s not for windows. Do I need something similar to sendmail for windows? Im still confused as to what sendmail does.

Any help or advice or links that will help me out will be appreciated.