===== mod_rewrite =====

The Apache module mod_rewrite is not enabled.

===== The Debian way =====

   a2enmod rewrite
   /etc/init.d/apache2 restart


===== The Suse way =====

   # open the following file:
   vi /etc/sysconfig/apache2
   # and add the entry:
   APACHE_MODULES="[...] rewrite [...]"
   # restart your apache
   /etc/init.d/apache2 restart