php.ini/Linux?

Hello. I just recently switched to Linux and am now having minor difficulties with setting up my webserver. Using Apache 1.3.27 and PHP 4.2.3, compiled like a charm according to the INSTALL files. However, I can't open any PHP files in my browser(s). Mozilla, e.g. gives me a connection refused error (html, etc files work w/o problems though). I assume this has something to do with the php.ini, as I am rather unsure where to put it. I've installed Apache in /home/username/.apache/ and PHP in /usr/local/lib/php. The INSTALL file states that I have to put the php.ini into /usr/local/lib in most cases. Does this apply to my case as well? I've noticed that not having php.ini in /usr/local/lib has the same effect as it being actually there. Thanks in advance for the help and my apologies if I've overlooked merely a minor detail. J. Greene