problem with .htaccess

[eluser]Garrisonx[/eluser]
Hi folks im a newbie in this CI framework i been using Ci for a few weeks now and im reading the box of wrox and watch all the videos from jefrey way cause im really interested in learn how to use proper CI.
but im havving a problem with the htaccess file to remove the index.php from the url
cause when i put the code inside it not only removes the index.php it also removes everything. so when i put the .htaccess file i cant access the page and when i remove the .htaccess file i can go back again
let me put the code down here of mi htaccess file

Code:

RewriteEngine ON
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule ^(.*)/ci_series/index.php/$1 [L]

this one removes the index.php but also the ci_series folder i try removing the /ci_series/ part but it does the same thing
i think maybe i have to remove something from my httpd.conf im using currently appserv as mi apache server and i see the guys in the videos remove index.php so easily

what can i do i thought maybe change to mamp but im a windows user
thank you very much for everything