Windows / Linux PHP question

I have mySql PHP installed on my windows machine ( PWS) and my ISP server is Linux/Apache. I want to test scripts using MySql "at home" anyway, the following works perfectly on the ISP but produces a "parse error" apparently at the else on my windows98/PWS server why? <SCRIPT language="php"> if (!$userID) { echo "<p>We can't seem to remember you. If you are already a member ,<a href =\"reset.htm\"> please login</a>"; echo "<br>If you are not a member, <a href =\"membership/registration.htm\"> Register today</a></p>"; } else { $sql = "SELECT first_name FROM users WHERE id = $userID"; //several lines of connection/SQL/ code follow but the parse error points to the line with the else or the line above it ( the line above prints properly)