PHP and COM are working together, but whenever multiple VARIANTs are made it has problems, single variants are okay. Once I perform the query on the object and get the values retuned to the browser, apache seems to get stuck in a loop and uses up around 98% of all system resources. 

$a = new VARIANT();
$b = new VARIANT();
will cause an apparent loop/whatever (Sorry I've not used the correct terminology)

$a = new VARIANT();
on it's own allows the rest of the script to function.
It is almost like PHP is not releasing the variant and allowing the page to display.
See forums at ZEND, subject : PHP, COM and VARIANTS 
Whilst the values are returned to the browser, they do not actually get displayed, I end up with a white page, that is continually indicating that it is loading. However, if I view the source code I end up seeing the exact output and variables I was expecting, but it simply doesn't display. 
If I then kill the apache process (W2k, Apache, PHP setup for development work) the page displays. 
Help! 
I have tried to close/kill/exit/unload the COM object and the VARIANTS too, but all to no avail. We know that the COM object is completing all it's stuff as we've put that through the VB debugger (I haven't got time to learn the Zend debugger right now! Unless anyone knows of any really quick tutorials) 
If we do not use the VARIANT call but still use the COM object the system performs as expected, but as soon as a VARIANT gets involved the performance goes downhill, instantly. The browser does not display and the Server goes into a loop that absorbs all system resources. 
Please, please, can anybody help? I'm stumped.

Enabled extensions are:

extension=php_gd.dll
extension=php_ming.dll
extension=php_pdf.dll
extension=php_pgsql.dll
extension=php_zlib.dll

The binary install was a default binary from www.firepages.com.au for W2k (the 13Mb one).
Hope this helps.

Biz