Local installation errors

I’m trying to install WordPress locally so I can get my head around it before installing it on a web host. I’m running XAMPP locally. My testing server is running OK because I’ve been able to execute simple PHP in a few html files, and I’ve successfully created my database.

I get to /wp-admin/install.php, having successfully executed the previous instructional steps, and enter my blog title and email address. After I click “Install” I’m taken to a second page which appears as thus in my address bar: https://localhost/wordpress/wp-admin/install.php?step=2. All that’s on the page is the WordPress logo in a header and nothing else. There’s nothing else in the source of this page, either. When I plod along to wp-login.php I’m met with a bunch of scary code in the browser. I didn’t bother looking at the source for this page, such was my terror.

Any ideas? I’m a massive fan of the WP philosophy and I’d love to get this running smoothly so I can help spread the love.