i think i got it working now 
now only apache needs some finetuneing!
Thanks anyway for taking the time to read this thread 
setting up windows 2000 with apache/php/mysql
4 days later
In a Windows 2000 Environment I recommend to use IIS instead apache. That´s because web and ftp server it´s more easy to managing and it´s integrated in the Operating System.
Is very easy to configure. Follow this instruction if you want to test it.
1.- First Download everthing you will need:
php
The latest production release from 4.3 before 5.0 from www.php.net (5.0 it is not recommended because mysql need to be configured it is not built in). You can download the setup release which install the php cgi version or you can dowload the zip version which include everything you will need including extensions.
mysql
Download mysql from www.mysql.com use the version 4.1.5 gamma version. This is a msi file which install the mysql service. Download Mysql Administrator and Mysql Query Browser
Install Internet Information Services from Control Panel/Add Programs/Windows Programs
Install PHP. Be sure web server is running before.
Install Mysql.
If you install the cgi version just add a filter in IIS that use the .php extension pointing to c:\php\php.exe.
This is a closer approach you need to do another things but this is the way.
I hope that this can help you.
I figured IIS was built for ASP since both are M$ native also security issues with IIS and my experience with apache made me choose apache as server... (you can try convince me IIS is better, im available for arguments/suggestions all the time)
i got it setup alright already though
www.zerocom.ath.cx incase your interrested.
Its apache 1.3/php 4.3/mysql 4.x works fine for me
Thanks anyway for your reply
But..
Why not the newest version?
ehm, version of wot? 
Mysql and php was made first for linux systems and many experienced user says in many foros, that have a better performance in this OS , so why not use linux instead Windows. So you can use apache (first for linux), mysql, php.
I just say this:
If I need Mysql and PHP into a Windows environment. I'll try to setup using IIS because it is integrated in the same system. So you can use users and groups as in windows, for users management and other security isues, such like only permit to some web pages or directories to be accessed for a few users. This can be done using IIS, has a very easy user interface.
Personally I use Windows XP Home, Apache, PHP CGI and Mysql in my test environment. (Because XP Home not include IIS only you can use it cracking windows system, not recommendable)
But in a production environment I use Windows 2000 or Windows 2003, IIS,PHP and MySQL since one and half years ago.
so what youre saying is, on windows IIS is more stable cuz its integrated on the sys plus user management is more easy....
I always learned from people apache was the best and IIS sucked... Maybe it has changed alot in the last few years... im not really into that stuff. But it sounds reasonable what you say
Where can i find a GOOD CLEAR toturial on using IIS / php / mysql.
I tried it once some years ago took me 5 days of frustration to discover apache worked within the hour (that was on win2k sp2)
Though that is quite some time ago! Also i want full versions... is the included IIS on win2k fullversion ? its not really clear to me....
Anyway, plz let me know THanks!
Yes, I think so.
When I began work on php, mysql was in a SUSE Linux system, but my boss had made a big investment in Windows 2003 servers, so I have to adapt me to that and began learn about how to migrating to Windows.
First of all I installed mysql... ok... test a lot of mysql clients... working very well...
Then I installed IIS, testing web static pages, ftp server to load pages... virtual directories and so on...
When I understood how it works, I was ready to install php. That was so easy because I install the cgi version...
I tested it in personal web server (Windows 98), apache (XP Home), IIS5(Windows2000 Server and XP Pro) IIS6(Windows2003 Server)
After that experience i was ready to install the isapi version. That took me more time but at the end I got a lot of knowledge about Windows web servers, ftp servers, asp tecnology, php, mysql...
I did'nt use an specific Tutorial, I used a lot of documentacion of many sources, a great helper google....
Hasta la vista...
oh well i give it a shot
i mean, what the hell
i keep you posted here...
can i use the same php / mysql downloads i use for apache?
Yes, I use phpmyadmin without changes,
and Many others programs than I have tested developed for linux systems.
There are a few things to consider:
Don't use an apache specific module or will not work at least you don't have another choice.
example the authentification mode...
You can have both web servers running but not at same time, can run not in same port(80 by default).
You can stop one server, and then work with the other.
ciao...
yea im setting up a dual server now...
:p seems kinda easy to install php according to php.net
http://nl3.php.net/manual/en/install.windows.iis.php#install.windows.iis.iis4
Im not installing the cgi version though since that is way to limited!
im installing the zip binary ... (isapi?)
how do i enable the php thing in isapi filters.... the activate key remains grey and unclickable :queasy:
Also the 'arrow' on the left is RED instead op green!
Module not loaded...
But how in the hell can it show php pages?
Another thing!...
Why am i getting alot of crap below every php pages about redirects that are not defined even though they are? is that a debug thing ? and how do i kill that! 
likes apache better i think
fuck IIS!
back to apache!
copy the file c:\php\php4ts.dll to c:\windows\system32 or c:\winnt\system32.
in php.ini
look for extension_dir should be
extension_dir = "c:\php"
in Programs \Administrative Tasks\Services
restart IIS admin Service
the craps are because is not running php
Thats all arrow on left should be green
Try this if not work I never will write you again
lol never write me again?
haha....
Well before i posted the fuck iis post
i did that, i found that in a forum (to copy the .dll and edit the ini...
Yet it didnt work, not even after a hardware restart...
Anyway, besides of that i dont like the gui for IIS... theres a server editing thing and a site editing gui which are so much alike i got confused all the time. Though that was bearable to a certain point, i mean if it works i never come there again!
But then when i was installing php and mysql it went to shit!
the whole thing wouldnt work anymore i tried several sites where they had HOWTO's but all wouldnt work
I think a program should be easy in use and conf. IF it aint there must be a good support in the background (which is NOT present by my knowledge since all help files where html and stuff and didnt work cuz the server wouldnt work)
On that point i find apache muchmuch better to config and what about the usage well lets just say the httpd.conf makes more sense to me then the whole IIS program.
maybe ill look into it on some testing machine im setting up, but for productive servers i stick to apache! (which are integrated in the system aswell by installing services i found out )
Anyway, thanks for your ideas, time and stuff
Well I am sorry. The same thing happened to me when I tryed to install php as an isapi filter. I spent 5 hours trying until I did it. So I had tu read many documentation about it.
Depending in which OS version you have another approach:
on Windows 2000 server you need to install de ISAPI filter in the ISAPI filter tab and assign the aplication .php to c:\php\sapi\php4isapi.dll.
on Windows 2003 server you don't need to install de ISAPI filter in the ISAPI filter tab only assign the aplication and install in web service extensions php as allowed.
Bye...
on Windows 2000 server you need to install de ISAPI filter in the ISAPI filter tab and assign the aplication .php to c:\php\sapi\php4isapi.dll.
i figured that out myself but it didnt work... but hey, ive got apache setup in like 10 minutes? and that works