Mysql & php

So I am attempting to run php 4.3.4 & Mysql 4.1.1 & Apache 1.3.9 and cannot get them to connnect with Passwords... Works fine without Passwords... but not very secure.. Then I come across this: <<User Contributed Notes <<MySQL Functions <<Pat <<22-Jan-2004 03:02 <<[Editor Note: [********************] <<The password hashing was updated in MySQL 4.1, you must use the MySQLi <<extension with MySQL 4.1+ (or use the following method to allow <<pre 4.1 clients to connect).] << But according to the Manual Proper: <<Requirements << <<In order to have these functions available, you must compile PHP with <<support for the mysqli extension. << << Note: The mysqli extension is designed to work with the version <<4.1.2 or above of MySQL. For previous versions, please see the MySQL <<extension documentation. << << So which is it??? Do these new Mysqli extensions work for Winsows or not??? How do I enable them??? I have gotten responses from a few people with the same problem and no real answers.