System console window missing in blender 2.57a?

I’ve downloaded and installed blender 2.57a today.
When launched, instead of the usual “system console” window, a perfect copy of the main screen appears.
It is therefore impossible to print outputs via python or seing error messages.
Has anybody encountered the same behaviour?
My operating system is windows XP.

Thanks,

mb

Thank you for your very fast responses!

mb