ob_start("ob_gzhandler") producing garbage before document header

Hi, using ob_gzhandler produces a 5-8 characters, �“×2
���, before the document header. Using ob_start() does not produce the text garbage. Is there a way to get ob_start("ob_gzhandler") to behave? Many thanks in advance Abridged Code: ob_start("ob_gzhandler"); //produces initial text garbage # ob_start() //Produces No initial text garbage # Cache the output $data = ob_get_contents(); //ob_end_clean(); Can't seem to make this work with ob_gzhandler # Remove any whitespace that screws up the headers (cannot modify headers error) print trim($data); # Flush in all ways known to man flush(); ob_flush(); ob_end_flush();