This is a small aside, but the path c:program files suggests that your running on a Windowds box. Apache on Windows by default needs a shebang line as if it were on Unix. So if your copy of Perl is in c:\Perl, the first line should read: #!c:/perl/bin/perl

Now if Apache has been configure to use the registry hack then please ignore this comment, as Apache will not care what the shebang line is.

The other comments here are fine, if Apache doesn't get the two carriage returns between the HTTP headers and the body content it will die on you.

If you are new to Perl be warned that Perl/CGI while fun, is like learning to drive on the Autobahn, you may find an empty country lane somewhat safer.

You should look at the O'Reilly's Rat Book, and have a look at Lincon Stein's CGI module, it will take a lot of pain out of CGI for you. Check out the Book Reviews section, you will see that there are quite a few books to AVOID!