It sounds like are you still using the old Control Panel and that Apache is not actually starting.
You should use the newer Version 3 control panel (xampp-control-3-beta.exe) in the main XAMPP folder. It will not tell you the port number in the bottom log window when you start a program, that is behavior of the old Control Panel Version 2.5.
Apache might not start if it is missing dependencies or if one of the required ports is not free. First, try installing this:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download ... px?id=5582The modules will have a solid green background if they are running. You can also obtain a more updated version of the control panel here:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=48932