search string problem with special characters in php 4.4.7

Hi all, I have a search string which works just fine with php 4.4.9 and my local host but some how its not working with php version 4.4.7. Search is for a Swedish name with special characters like - åre - I am able to display these characters properly on the browser. the only problem is with searching keywords with special characters like above from the database. In php version 4.4.9 if we search for - åre - we get around 26 records which is correct. but when we search the same in php version 4.4.7 (with same coding and same database) it retracts over 11,000 records - which is not correct. Database version for both servers is - MySQL client version: 5.0.51a I have a deadline tomorrow and wonder if you could please help me out? the problem could be because of php versions or it has to be in my codes? Thanks in advance, Bipul