Use localhost for testing

http://192.168.1.5/index.htm returns a blank screen

What directory on your PC is index.htm in? What content does that file have?

it's in htdocs. the content is shown above

' 1. Can you access the host server from your mobile device ? (e.g. view a php web page)'
How do I do this on my phone ?

http://192.168.1.5/index.htm if I put this in my phone browser should it run the page

If you run a web browser on your device, for example the Google browser, do you see the page http://192.168.1.5/index.htm ?

if i install this little server on my PC I can see html pages on my mobile device.

Is it the local webserver I am using that's causing the problem? Abyss Web Server. It works fine for everything else.

I do not believe so. I had a read of the Abyss documentation, and if you are using the default settings, then it appears to be working OK.

There seems to be an issue in local networking between your phone and your host computer, or in configuration on your host server.

Check if port 80 is open in Windows Firewall.

Configuration file of server

httpd.conf

Listen 0.0.0.0:80

Port 80 is closed

port

How do I open port 80 on this ?

https://wiki.mcneel.com/zoo/window7firewall

I did this and checked here Port Checker - Check Open Ports Online. It says the port is closed. Do I need to open port 80 on my router also ?

If your PC and mobile device are on the same network (192.168.1.X), you only need to open the Windows port.

Yes they are ! How do I know if the windows port is open ?

Have you read the tutorial indicated above?

I give up on this. It's not possible on my system.

and you were so close....