problems with .htaccess - crypt-passwords doesn't mach

Hi all, I'm new in here and from Germany, so I hope I can make clear what my problem is. I also didn't do too complicated things with php upto now. And the problem I have at the moment is the following: I have done a simple website as a frontend for changing the ".htaccess"- and ".htusers"-files via a combination of javascript and php. Seems as if everything works with just one (important) exception: The crypt-command doesn't give the right passwords... I have already tried the tip on the official php-site to use the first two chars of the password, but that didn't work. One example: when I enter the string into a form on the web which invokes a perl-script, I get back strings beginning with "iN" or something like this. Anyway, they are working when I use them as passwords. But I never get results like this with php-"crypt". And as this command seems to work only in one way I think that there has to be another encryption method I have to use? Btw, I also tried md5(), but with no result. Thanks muchly for any help provided.