local machine email
I'm running xampp as well, but I believe it does'nt include a mail server. There are softwares out there to add mail to your local machine. Some of the errors you mentioned are caused because it is looking for a server that's not there. (Mail) Anytime you put a email on a page, you have to name your SMTP server. (yourmailserver@yourdomain.com) has to be filled in with the proper setting.
Dean