Description:
------------
At last I have installed PHP with Apache 2 on windows 2000

This was after a two day wild goose chase involving php.ini not being read, dll's not loading, the include_path variable not being recognised for PEAR extensions. 

Anyhow I learnt two things that I hope will save someone else the pain i have been through.

1.) If PHP does not find PHP.INI it uses hard coded default values that work fine until you install PEAR extensions and need to change the "Include_path" varaiable....then your troubles begin unless you knew about 2.) below

2.) To keep PHP files in a separate directory you must add "C:\PHP" TO YOUR PATH STATEMENT (Control panel, system, advances, environmental variables, system variables, select path and edit) AND REBOOT THE MACHINE OTHERWISE THE PATH VARIABLE DOES NOT UPDATE.

The install.txt urges a manual install but neglects to mention the REBOOT requirement for the PATH statement to take effect. A minor omission but what a lot of pain it caused me.