Running into an error when trying to implement Keras - python-2.7

Question

I'm using Python 2.7, Windows 7, and Keras 1.2.1 (Keras2 seems to be having a lot of compatibility issues with different PC/Python configs, so I was recommened to use 1.2.1)
I'm using a script from Practical Deep Learning For Coders, Part 1 Course
import utils; reload(utils)
from utils import plots
The error I"m getting is as below
Problem occurred during compilation with the command line below:
"g++" -shared -g -DNPY_NO_DEPRECATED_API=NPY_1_7_API_VERSION -m64 -DMS_WIN64 -I"c:\python27\lib\site-packages\numpy\core\include" -I"c:\python27\include" -I"c:\python27\lib\site-packages\theano\gof" -L"c:\python27\libs" -L"c:\python27" -o C:\Users\Moondra\AppData\Local\Theano\compiledir_Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1-Intel64_Family_6_Model_94_Stepping_3_GenuineIntel-2.7.12-64\lazylinker_ext\lazylinker_ext.pyd C:\Users\Moondra\AppData\Local\Theano\compiledir_Windows-7-6.1.7601-SP1-Intel64_Family_6_Model_94_Stepping_3_GenuineIntel-2.7.12-64\lazylinker_ext\mod.cpp -lpython27
I can't decipher what this means. Google search brought up a Chinese message board.
It seems to be a g++ problem as the previous warning I got was as follows:
WARNING (theano.configdefaults): g++ not available, if using conda:conda install m2w64-toolchain``. Despite installing m2w64-toolchain afterwards, I was continuing to get the same warning.

Answer 1

Some interesting things I learned while trying to configure theano and keras:
C++/g++
Depending on your python version, you have to install a corresponding version of the C++ compiler, or Visual Studio. Ex: Python 2.7 needs C++ 9.0 (Visual Studio 2008). But Python 3.5 needs C++ 14.0 (Visual Studio 2015) -- See here for more: https://wiki.python.org/moin/WindowsCompilers
I also had to install MinGW for g++ compilers: https://nuwen.net/mingw.html
Even with it correctly installed, you may see an error about hypot. This question shows two possible solutions: g++ error on import of Theano on Windows 7
I tried installing everything via Conda, but all calculations were slower than continents moving away from each other. Then I gave up conda and installed everything via standard python. (First python, then numpy, then scipy, then theano, then keras). Not sure if MinGW goes before of after numpy/scipy, but I think it goes before.
BLAS/LAPACK
Numpy and theano may warn you that no lapack/blas is installed. For that, I used the numpy and scipy libraries available here, they're great and fast: http://www.lfd.uci.edu/~gohlke/pythonlibs/
Another option is installing MKL directly from Intel, before installing numpy and scipy.
Path problems / Invalid Token - ldflags
Avoid installing anything, including the MKL, in folders containing spaces in their names! That will definitely confuse theano/numpy.
You may get "invalid token" errors if you have spaces in folders, and a ldflags var described in that error. To solve that, either reinstall your mkl libraries in folders without spaces, or configure the .theanorc file in the theano home folder with your [blas] configuration and the ldflags var. (See here: Receive AssertionError while optimizing convolution in theano)
Since I wasn't willing to reinstall MKL in another folder, I learned to create symbolic links to windows. (in the answer above)
Replace the folders with space in the theano config and also in the numpy config files (__config__.py), you can see its content with np.__config__.show(). (See answer above)

Answer 2

I solved the problem.
I reinstalled Anaconda.
And then via command line I wrote conda install m2w64-toolchain
This time I didn't get a message stating that m2w64 was already installed. I'm assuming it was a path issue and this time reinstalling everything from the start also created a new path?