login into php from html

[slayer23k]

hello i am pretty new to php but have managed to install it and get it running on my webserver which was a fun learning experience in itself.
My problem is i want to go from a html template to the php members site using the login block a lot like the one on this page but no matter what i have tried i cant get it to work any one who can help please do it is realy holding me up now lol after 2 weeks of trying i am ready to give up and just hyperlink to the index.php but this is not as proffessional as i would like it to be
all help is greatfully and thankfully received

ta in advance

 

[clr]

first off, what exactly is the site going to focus on..or rather whats its subject?

 

[slayer23k]

the website is written and the user group is written all i need to do is use a simple login form on the html page to send me to the php or rather just to allow users to enter user name and password to enter the user group