The master value is what's set in PHP.ini.  If the local value is on, that
leads me to think that PHP is loaded as a module from within apache, and that
additional runtime directives would be set in httpd.conf.

Look for <IfModule mod_php4.c> in httpd.conf.  Here's a link that describes how
to change configuration settings from within apache:

http://www.php.net/manual/en/configuration.changes.php


Still, though, turning safe-mode off is just a wide sweeping solution to the
problem.

You should read more about safe mode and it's related configuration directives.
Look at "safe_mode_exec_dir".

http://www.php.net/manual/en/features.safe-mode.php


take care,

nik