xammp extensions

[pukirocks]

hi everybody i have install xammp and is the fisrt software i try that really works but i have only one problem, when i clik on phpmyadmin it tells me that the mysql extension is not found i've download myODBC driver and intall it and also downlad the extension and put it in the extension dir that phpinfo shows and nothing happens. i think it has something to do with the fact that when i click admin mysql in the xammp CP i get this in the enviroment tab myODBC not found and then the driver info. i think it has something to do also with this other fact, when i clik the status link in localhost mysql database apears DEACTIVATED and i'm sure it is running.
please help i have try many many software and this is the only one that really works.
thanks everybody!!!!
Dank jeder!!! (hope i get it right)
sorry i don't know german (yet)