Help a new guy set up server to use PHP's mail() function

I have been trying to get a flash email form to work, most info gathered from tutorials and posts found on these forums but with no success. Now I have only learnt about Apache Server and PHP in the past 2 days so Im alittle overwhelmed from all the info intake :puzzled:

Im using WinXP with the latest Apache HTTP server and PHP, both installed to defult settings following the manuals included. Submitting a Flash form does nothing, submitting a basic html form returns the following error:

Warning: mail(): “sendmail_from” not set in php.ini or custom “From:” header missing in c:\server\apache\htdocs\mail.php on line 6

I checked the php4.ini located in my Windows Directory and it’s current settings are:


[mail function]
; For Win32 only.
SMTP = localhost

; For Win32 only.
sendmail_from = actual email address here

I have used google to try and find a solution but it’s only confused me more. I came across “sendmail” quite alot but I see it’s not for windows. Do I need something similar to sendmail for windows? Im still confused as to what sendmail does.

Any help or advice or links that will help me out will be appreciated.