Help. I cannot open localhost

[ephi]

I installed apache 2.2.4 on my computer and then typed in http://localhost in my browser but it just kept loading endlessly. I then uninstalled apache fully and installed xampp but I still had the same problem. I just can't access localhost. I've tried opening it on Internet explorer and Firefox but it's still the same thing.
The apache service runs just fine, no error messages, but I just can't access localhost. Is it a problem with my ports? Do I have to reset anything.
Please help me.