When using Zend Compatibility Mode, you'll not be able to use MySQLi as you would like. Each time you try to create a new object you'll get:
"Fatal error: Trying to clone an uncloneable object of class mysqli in XXX".
In order to use the mysqli objects you'll need to deactivate Zend Compatibility mode before calling the connect procedure:
ini_set('zend.ze1_compatibility_mode', 0);
$mysqli = new mysqli(hostname,username,password,[database]);
** Issue happening under Unix and Windows OS. 

