I am trying to install php using the 3.0.16 source on php.net. I am doing this since the Redhat rpm for php does not come with in-built MySQL support. I am using the simplest switches for configure:
--with-apxs=/usr/sbin/apxs --with-mysql --with-xml \
--with-config-file-path=/etc/httpd \
--enable-track-vars 

All the steps (configure, make and make install) were completed with NO error messages. The libphp3.so file was created and I moved the php3.ini file to /etc/httpd. I also changed the httpd.conf file like mentioned in documentation.

BUT when I try to restart apache using /etc/rc.d/init.d/httpd, it fails although the message for starting httpd is [OK]. When I re-install the Redhat rpm, everything is hunky-dory again. What is happening? 

I am posting this bug only after 3 sleepless nights and failure to get help from all the documentation and newsgroups. Kindly email me if you can help me out.
Thanks.