Update to 3.5.2 in localhost disables post editing

I tried 4 installs of 3.5.2 on localhost (various permutations) with the same results each time: I cannot write in the post window, use the text tab or the “Add Media” button.

Finally I installed 3.5.1 (worked great) and then updated to 3.5.2 in the dashboard. Again post editing, the text tab and the “Add Media” button were all disabled. No plugins were installed.

I’m running XAMPP version 1.7.4 (on Windows 7)
Apache 2.2.17
MySQL 5.5.8 (Community Server)
PHP 5.3.5 (VC6 X86 32bit) + PEAR

A little old but should be at the right rev levels for 3.5.2.

My son (also on Windows 7) installed 3.5.2 using XAMPP 1.8.2. WordPress 3.5.2 works properly with that version (contains Apache 2.4.4, MySQL 5.5.32, PHP 5.4.16.)