Please help newbie php / mysql

Hi, I'm currently learning php and mysql, i have installed the latest version of Apache (2.0.45) and the PHP (4.3.1) and mysql, on windows XP pro. I am able to display the status of the MySQL database using a php script that displays the results in a browser. But I can't submit a query to the database to create a new table, I am able to create the table using the SQL dialog in the MySQL manager. So I know that there is not a problem with the syntax of my SQL, I'm using the same connection as used for the status display script and I know the query I type into the form is being parsed as I display it as soon as the script starts. Please help me if you can I'm getting very frustrated by at being stuck at the first hurdle. Jonathon.