Install trouble with PHP

[garfieldnate]

I have tried to install xampplite a number of times now on my machine, and it always gives me an error that has to do with php. The error comes up as the regular install screen closes and the command prompt opens to finish installing.
I'm running Windows xp Home Edition sp3. I'm trying to install on a 4 gb thumb drive.

Every time I try to install, an error with php comes up. The one I am looking at now says:
php.exe - Application Error
"The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000005). Click on OK to terminate the application."

I also had one that said that CLI had stopped working and needed to shut down (the Microsoft error report dialog).

Is there anything I need to install on my machine before I install xampplite?

Thanks in advance!
Nathan