Install on your computer

Hello, yes I am trying to get a PHP/MySQL area setup on my computer for i can work on developing some php things that require databases to run and for I have a test space for me to develop wordpress/vb/ipb skins and I can't seem to get them to work so im looking for some help.

People recommended both xampp and wampserver to me, but i am not getting either, I installed them in the spot i want go to it in my browser, but then php doesn't show up and I cant figure out how to connect them to a database. How would I go about doing this and which one is best recommend.

Best Regards,
Randy Cram