Install and Configure ChartDirector

Use the absolute-path method recommended in the current ChartDirector PHP installation guide. Match the extension to PHP's version, architecture and thread-safety setting.

1. Download the Windows x64 PHP archive from the vendor.
2. Save its SHA-256 checksum.
3. Extract it under C:\AppxTools so the library directory is C:\AppxTools\ChartDirector\lib.
4. Keep that entire directory together. Include chartdir.dll and all supplied companion files.
5. For a fresh PHP ZIP installation, copy php.ini-production to php.ini in C:\AppxTools\PHP85. If that PHP installation already has a php.ini, edit the existing file instead of replacing it.
6. Add the following settings. The extension path must point to your extracted ChartDirector library. America/New_York is an example timezone; use the timezone appropriate to your installation.

extension="C:\AppxTools\ChartDirector\lib\phpchartdir850nts.dll"
display_errors=stderr
log_errors=On
date.timezone=America/New_York

If you choose the vendor's alternative bare-filename method, copy the complete ChartDirector\lib directory contents into PHP's configured extension_dir. Keep chartdir.dll beside the extension; copying only the extension DLL is insufficient.

Run the checks through the explicit executable:

& 'C:\AppxTools\PHP85\php.exe' -v
& 'C:\AppxTools\PHP85\php.exe' --ini
& 'C:\AppxTools\PHP85\php.exe' -m

The loaded php.ini must be the file just edited. Check the Loaded Configuration File line from --ini; editing a different file has no effect on this interpreter. A new CLI invocation reads the settings immediately. The vendor's instruction to restart PHP applies to a PHP process that stays running, such as a web PHP handler.