GD Problems

I don't exactly know why this is happening:
I had Xampp 1.2 installed under windows. I tried to use the GD module, but it didn't work. So I downloaded Xampp 1.4.2 (latest) and installed it. I started it, and loaded the page that comes with it, and I have there something like "Instant Art" (a sample using GD). But it doesn't work... why, oh, why?!

PS: php_gd2.dll is uncommented and the extension dir is set correctly!

and one more thing:
if I check out phpinfo(), if I run a search for "gd" it says it can't find it... and under Addtional Modules, there's nothing!

come on, anyone?! I'm really frustrated about this...

I ran into a similar problem when I tried to enable the gd library. It took me forever to figure out, but I didn't have the php_gd2.dll in the right folder.

I do have it in the right folder, and the fact that I have a package that has apache/php and other stuff togheter and well working (except for GD) should mean that it ought to work, normally... so I am really puzzled!!!

I found that I had extension_dir = C:!xamppphpextensions (wich is correct), but all the other paths were written like this: extension_dir = ".;C:!xamppphpextensions"
but it still doesn't solve the problem... I'm losing my nevrves over here :/

Finally found out what the problem was, and it was a stupid one, indeed! For some very, very stupid reason, you are not allowed to have the "!" character in the path to the extensions dir... lame... :/