PHP 5.2.11: Unable to load dynamic library complaints

Solution 1:

Because this recently bit me in the butt, you should check to make sure that the system path includes the directory that PHP is installed in.

Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables -> Select Path under System Variables and then click the Edit button (be sure to click the lower Edit button, underneath System Variables).
Look through the little text box to make sure that your PHP directory is listed. If not, you can add it by appending a semicolon to the previous item and then typing the path (mine is C:\PHP)

Solution 2:

Found the problem: Apparently the msvscrt.dll wasn't in a location that made php happy. Made a copy in the C:\PHP Folder and now things work properly. The Path environmental variable was a good tip, but one that I'd already double checked.