Localhost failing to start after installing mifos

I installed xampp v 3.2.2, jdk 9.0.4. I installed mifos following the installation guide from the mifosforge.jira.com. I attempted to launch mifos through running tomcat admin in xampp. However on attempting to start mifos as indicated in the guide, an error occurred. This is what was displayed on http://localhost:8080/: � and some little squares on either side of the sign, three on left side and two on right side. Squares got some digits inside. All this is on the top left corner of the page.

I am using windows 8.1, 64bit.

Can somebody please assist on how i can resolve this problem.