welcome,
I had at least two sleepless nights configuring web server environment on windows xp. Apache, PHP, Mysql,PHPMyadmin, and php nuke. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I passed through many tricks and I feel now that I can mention most common mistakes and I decided to document those tips and tricks. My Goal on this article is to help many beginner webmasters set up complete web server on their local machine so that they can use the advantages of free tools and modules to develop websites.
In this article, I will describe all the processes from installing Apache to setting up the well known free Content management system-phpnuke. You may read only the portion of the article that you want to refer. But for me, all the topics that I will mention are relevant for beginners web master and should be overviewed. You may jump directly to one of the following topics
• Installing and configuring PHP5
• Installing and configuring MYSQL
• installing and configuring phpmyadmin
• Installing and Basic setup of PHPnuke
By the way, I will use php 5.1.4 apache 2.0 MYSql 4.1.7 and phpnuke 2.8. I expect installations of other versions will be similar, but if you think there can be great divation from your version, you can look for some other article out there.

Installing and configuring Apache2.X on Windows
At the the time of writing this article, some people says that there is some incompatibility between Apache 2.2 and the module which comes with php5( php5Apache2.dll). So, you better download Apache 2.0 not Apache2.2. Of curse if you want to go in the harder way, you can download Apache 2.2 and replace the the module with correct Module. But I will recommend you to seek simple life. Follow me.
Download Apache 2.0 from download site .Important: don't forget to download the right version and you should download the Win32 binary version. You don't need to download the source code and bogged down to the complexity of compilation of the source.
To minimize the possibility of corrupted file download, you better do the MD5 check: in case you are new to this, I will guide you:
Follow the link ["MD5"] and you will see a string of numbers and text like this: 44358b283212d5c144524231fc0cb562 apache_1.3.34-win32-x86-no_src.exe
Now copy this crazy text on notepad (or any editor you have). Then download md5sums-1.2.zip which checks the validity of the downloaded apache zip file. Note that md5sums-1.2.zip should be in the same folder that you unzipped the downloaded Apache. Now open text file editor like notepad and create a text file with content md5sums -p -n -b apache_2.0.55-win32-x86-no_ssl.msi.
Note that if your downloaded Apache version is slightly different, you need to change the above text file accordingly. Then save the text file with the name tryApache_md5.bat in the same folder that you saved the Apache and md5sums downloads. Now run (double click) the tryApache_md5.bat now look the string of text which is at least similar to the one you see previously on the download site. Compare the generated string text and the one you copied from the ["MD4"] link. If the downloaded Apache is correct the two strings of text should be identical. If they are not same, go to the Apache download page and download again.
At this point you are sure that you downloaded the right Apache server for your windows Machine.
Now double click the Apache set up file and follow the installation instruction. The instructions are straight forward, but to if you get some confusion, you can refer the apache Documentation.
I assume that you are installing the server for local use only. If you have a plan to use as server of locally connected environment, the server should have static IP address. Then you can enter local host for both domain and network Domain. Then enter your email. if your plan is not for local use, give your true domain name like mydomain.com. Note that you need to have routers and DNS(domain Name Service) to connect to the internet and you need to ask network administrator if you want do that.
on the next screen, choose the Custom installation so that Apache will be installed with full features. I advice you not to change the installation path as it will lead to the complexity of latter configurations.
Go on the installation and complete.
You completed installing Apache. Now you have to check the installation
Now go to the start menu, and programs. Launch apache Apache HTTP server and click restart from the Control Apache server menu.
Windows will probably ask you to confirm you allow for the Apache to run. It is due to an attempt of opening new port by the Apache and Windows Firewall is informing you about that. Click unblock and finish. Now a small but gray button should appear on the system tray.
Point your browser to http://localhost/: Now an interesting welcome page will appear. success. if you have any problem at this point you may go to the FAQ page
At this point you installed your webserver Apache and you are ready to install PHP and other components of website developing tools

I will confinue installation of PHP and other tools on my next posts
if you find this information useful, please let me know, drop your comment

thanks