Setting up a production environment on a fresh OS install is like throwing a cold glass of damnit in your face.  My new laptop came in the mail about two weeks ago and I finally finished setting up my rat nest of applications and configurations.  To anyone that must go through a similar process I pat thee on the head and offer you some random solutions:

Configuring MySQL on Windows 7 Does not Create Windows Service

When attempting to install MySQL 6.1 on Windows 7 x64 I received this: “error: cannot create windows service for mysql error 0.”  After trying multiple solutions offered on the forums I ended up just running the configuration wizard again, going through the “Remove Instance” option, and reconfiguring.

SQLyog Does not Connect to MySQL

Make sure to enable TCP/IP Networking during your installation of MySQL.  SQLyog connects to the database via TCP.  Whoops.

IIS 7 on Windows 7 Returns Blank Pages

Fire up IIS.  Go to your site, select “Basic Settings,” find “Application Pool” click “Select” change to “Classic .NET AppPool.” The project I was attempting to work on was created with an older version of .NET.  I found this solution out after over an hour of scouring forums and finally just randomly selecting configuration options.

Random Tips

To run programs in Windows 7 as administrator open the application while holding ctrl+shift.  Works great for running cmd.

Debug/Run Flex (sorry, Flash Builder) projects in a custom URL by going to Project > Properties > Run/Debug Settings.  Click the project, select Edit.  Under URL or path to launch unselect “Use default” and enter your custom URL.  You might as well turn off the HTML wrapper file too by going to Project > Properties > Flex Compiler and unchecking “Generate HTML wrapper file” under the “HTML wrapper” heading.