Installing and configuring MySQL

Steps 1 and 2 - Download and Install the latest version.

Step 1 - Download the Latest stable version.
Go to MySQL Downloads page for the latest stable release. We are using here ' mysql-4.1.12-win32.zip, the latest stable recommended release as of 27/05/05. It is a 35.7 Mb download so either patience or broadband is required here, or get an earlier version from a cover disk of a computer mag. This is the binary version and contains an installer package which does most of the work for you these days. The need for manual editing of config files has therefore been reduced.

Download to a temporary location, I have a 'Master Programs' folder which I download to and extract from there.

Step 2 - Install MySQL
Extract the downloaded zip into its current location, then run the resulting 'setup.exe' file to start the mysql installer.

Open a DOS box (Start > Run > cmd ) and from the 'C:\mysql\bin\' directory , type in 'cd c:\mysql\bin' Once there type in 'mysqld --install'
Thats all there is to it, MySQL should now be ready for use.

Whats next ? Coming up will be a short tutorial on creating a basic database so that you get the idea of what is going on behind the scenes. This will be combined with a quick installation guide and introduction to phpMyAdmin, a great front end GUI to help create and organise your databases. Also coming soon is the installation tutorial for the 'Invision Power Board' forums board program, so you get real benefit from your newly installed php and MySQL.

Uninstall MySQL as a service.

Uninstall Previous Version of MySQL
This will also answer the question 'How to uninstall MySQL as a service'.
If you want to save your exisiting databases then goto 'C:\mysql\data\' and copy all the sub-folders in there that you want to keep, and paste them into a temporary location. Once your new installation is up and running, you can copy them back into 'C:\mysql\data\' ready for use. Note that this is not exactly the same as the 'upgrade MySQL' method on the mysql website, but works for me.

Whether you have saved your old databases or not, the next step in removing MySQL is then to delete the folder 'C:\mysql\' and all its containing sub-folders. Then , to remove the service, goto a DOS box and type 'mysqladmin -uroot -p shutdown' , type your master password if it asks for it. Type in 'mysqld --remove' and this will uninstall and remove the service.
You are now safe to proceed to install your new version.