Form Variables not getting passed || Apache, MySql, Win 2k Setup

Hey all. This driving me nuts: I've got Apache, MySql, and Windows 2000 running on my local machine. In order to get passed php variables evaluated, whether via a url query string, or through a form post, I have to use this syntax: $_REQUEST[$my_passed_variable] I have no such problem with our hosting company servers; i.e. I can access query_string and form posted variables as $my_passed_variable. What is going on here? Is there something in php.ini that needs to be adjusted? Any help whatsoever here is much appreciated, --Noah --