Can't remove Apache2

Try to do this:

1. Open a terminal hitting CTRL+ALT+T
2. Enter these commands:
sudo apt-get install apache2
sudo apt-get remove --purge apache2 apache2-utils

Great! I am getting a 404 (unable to connect) when I do http://localhost/ But one more thing. Do I need to remove the var/www folder? Should I delete the entire /etc/apache2 folder?

So the previos commands is for remove apache, if you want install it retype:
sudo apt-get install apache2

No, the /var/www folder is automatically delete when you run:
sudo apt-get remove --purge apache2 apache2-utils
the /etc/apache2 folder too.

Hel yourself with this if you want to install Apache:
https://help.ubuntu.com/10.04/serverguide/C/httpd.html

I did do --

sudo apt-get install apache2
sudo apt-get remove --purge apache2 apache2-utils

but the /var/www/ folder is still there
and the /etc/apache2 folder is still there

can I manually delete them?
What will manually deleting them do?

Absolutely nothing, you can remove it if you don't want to use Apache.
For remove just type this in terminal:
sudo rm -rf /var/www/
sudo rm -rf /etc/apache2

Now that I have completely removed (hopefully) the LAMP stack, what is the best and easiest way to install the LAMP stack. Is the tasksel method the best way to go?

Try to follow this:
http://www.howtoforge.com/ubuntu_lamp_for_newbies

Hi Craig,

If you are new to the LAMP stack I personally would recommend you use Xampp.
It installs and configures the settings for you easily.

Go to http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html and follow the instructions there.

Hope this helps.

Paul