php.ini changes don't take effect, ever

Hi, I've installed Apache 2.0.52, MYSQL 4.1 and PHP4.3.10. In the httpd.conf file I added the LoadModule line and AddType line required for PHP4. Once I did that I did some scripting and then had to add values to sendmail_from setting, which looks like this when I open the php.ini file: ; For Win32 only. sendmail_from = user@domain.net After several sever restart, system searches for other instances of the file php.ini I gave up on trying to mail something out on a SMTP server I wasn't sure was configured properly. This is the error I kept getting. Warning: mail(): "sendmail_from" not set in php.ini or custom "From:" header missing in...on line X. I solved this by using ini_set("sendmail_from", "user@domain.net") I then tried adding an extention to PHP using the php_gd2.dll for the image functions. Uncomenting the line with the dll and setting the extension_dir I still wasn't able to use these functions and you can't use ini_set() to set extensions. You can set extension_dir though. So now I get this error in my signup script while trying to create an obscured image with a random number printed on it. Fatal error: Call to undefined function: imagecreate() in ... on line X When I search for php.ini I get a total of 7 files. All of which are something like php.ini.recomended or php.ini.dist, there is only one php.ini file. If anyone can help me by pointing me where to look or what I could try to fix the solution. I'm running my system as follows [where the issues lie] Windows XP NO-SP2 NTFS Apache 2.0.52 PHP 4.3.10 MySQL 4.1 Agrosoft SMTP 1.8.7.3 _________________________________________________________________ Take charge with a pop-up guard built on patented Microsoft® SmartScreen Technology http://join.msn.com/?pgmarket=en-ca&page=byoa/prem&xAPID=1994&DI=1034&SU=http://hotmail.com/enca&HL=Market_MSNIS_Taglines Start enjoying all the benefits of MSN® Premium right now and get the first two months FREE*.