Try the demo database
CD Collection from the XAMPP welcome Page menu:
http://localhost/
CD Collection (Example for PHP+MySQL+PDF Class)
Also check it is running using the XAMPP Control Panel:
xampp\xampp-control.exe
You can check the mySQL error log in:
xampp\mysql\data\yourcomputername.err
The file is named as your computer name plus the file extension of err.
To read it just drag it into your favourite text editor.