cant run simple page

Well I've decided to try PHP again. So I downloaded the upgrade from Firepages, I also upgraded Apache. My Apache server 4.2.3 wont sart (un specified error). Apache 2.2 runs. When I try to open phpinfo.php IE 7.0 crashes. Even a simple hello world page will not run. I have tried http://localhost/.. and just opening the page from Windows Explorer. It worked once just after upgrading. Since then nothing. Its driving me nuts. I have spent the last several hours looking for an answer.

Any ideas? Your help is most greatly appreciated.

Well, this is interesting. I deleted everything regarding PHP and apache. I re-downloaded and installed phpdev 4.2.3 and I can now open php documents. What's interesting is that the Apache server is NOT running any services and 2 are listed. If I start either one I get an error msg, "The requested operation has failed."

I am missing something important.