httpd server environment for fusion/php work

Hello,

I have been using XAMPP to test some PHP/MySQL
based pages. It seems to partly work but when
I try to do use PHP for debugging no output appears.
Downloaded phpfusion (pets) template from the gotfusion
tutorial site and found that PHP output also disappeared.

Yet a raw PHP page (not NOF generated) will be correctly 
displayed.

Environ:
Apache 2.2
PHP 5.2.5 (installed after XAMPP)
MySql 5.0
Windows XP Pro SP2

PHP.ini settings
register_globals On
magic_quotes On

Is there a recommended bundled environment set to use 
or are some PHP/NOF settings wrong ?

Thanks
Adrian