Apache on local PC (XP) - HOW TO GET SSI's TO WORK?

[thorshammer]

Maybe a glutton for punishment, but I'm trying to develop / test PHP scripts on my PC and have installed the Apache Triad pkg. (Includes mySQL, slimFtp, xmail, PHP as well as Apache.) I've also got .htaccess in the root directory with 'OPTIONS INCLUDES' in it.

But the web pages that successfully display the SSI INCLUDES on my real-life host server (navigation bar) dunna' work on my PC. Most disappointing & inconvenient.

(Oh, and in the details-overkill department: I'm using the Dev-PHP IDE which has an internal browser. When I browse to a test file that contains ECHO var="DATE_LOCAL" she'sa work - but not the files with the nav-bar INCLUDE's.)

HELP PLEASE. I look forward to being awed by your expertise and kindly disposition. (thanks.)