strange apache problem ( :-) )

[natbrazil]

hi all,
on winxp i've had apache 2.0.45, now .46 with php 4.3.2 and latest mysql running fine as localhost for pre-publish testing

without a noticable (to me) reason, apache has stopped working in a strange way;
- service still runs
- my apache-conf server test says syntax is fine
- the apache service is using ALL available CPU up to 100%
(i think this is related to the problem, i don't think thats normal, correct?)
- my error log says;
[Wed Jul 09 09:46:43 2003] [notice] Parent: Created child process 2620
[Wed Jul 09 09:46:43 2003] [notice] Child 2620: Child process is running
[Wed Jul 09 09:46:43 2003] [notice] Child 2620: Acquired the start mutex.
[Wed Jul 09 09:46:43 2003] [notice] Child 2620: Starting 250 worker threads.

is 250 worker threads normal? is that whats using all my cpu?

when i try

http://localhost/

it just never gets there, The page cannot be displayed

any help, advice, pointers, etc would be greatly appreciated!

thx
natbrazil@weblabs.com