/catalog/install/install.php?step=2 just hanging

[geller]

Newbie installation on local machine Mandrake using Mysql & Apache. Installed the files as requested in install gude but running into a problem when doing the install from browser. Inputting the info for the database server info and when click continue starts loading next page then just hangs. Have scoured the forum to no avail for an answer to this. Not helping by the fact that not getting an error of any kind. Configure.php not being amended and db connection not happening!
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Got it sorted now had to reinstall php that seemed to clear the problem although I set it all up manually as the install program could not connect to the database