Guide: How to Install MySQL

vbgunz

Introduction
MySQL is a very popular database server and most scripts which rely on
a database give MySQL the respect that it deserves... You can find out
more about MySQL by going to the following address
http://www.mysql.com
Requirements
1. Abyss Web Server
2. MySQL
3. WinZIP
Installation Steps
1. Create a new directory in the Abyss program root directory
(not htdocs) called database.
2. Create a new folder inside database called mysql. You're
setup should probably now look like the following:
X:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql
Please Note:
Replace X:/ with your actual system path, C:/ or D:/, etc... Also,
make sure to place database/mysql into your Abyss path.
3. Unzip and Install MySQL into the new database/mysql
folder.
4. Create a new text file and copy the following and paste it
into your new text file.

[mysqld] 

basedir=X:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/

datadir=X:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/data/

Please Note:
Replace the values for basedir and datadir with the
paths to your installation if on another partition or if in another
directory... The file should probably now look like the following:

[mysqld] 

basedir=C:/yourpathto/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/ 

datadir=C:/yourpathto/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/data/

5. Save the new text document as my.ini and save it in
either your C:\WINDOWS or C:\WINNT directory.
Re-cap
So far MySQL is installed into the database/mysql folder and you saved
a "my.ini" file into the WINDOWS/WINNT directory... Excellent!
6. Navigate your way into the database folder > mysql > bin and
launch winmysqladmin.exe
Final Step
Upon launching that file you should now see a traffic signal in your
system tray... Is the light green? Excellent you have MySQL ready to
serve...
TIP
MySQL is a fabulous server but requires plenty of command line
knowledge. Fortunately theirs a really nice GUI in php for it called
phpMyAdmin. Check out the following thread for a quick guide on
installing phpMyAdmin.
http://www.aprelium.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1071
Good luck 🙂

Se7eN

where is how to set pw??? 🙁

vbgunz

Its in the MySQL manual regarding commandlines or you can check out the phpMyAdmin guide which provides a really nice GUI to MySQL. Good luck 🙂

Robin

How do I check id MySQL is really working or not?
And, whenever I wanna use MySQl, do I have to start that program winmysqladmin.exe?

vbgunz

Robin wrote
How do I check id MySQL is really working or not? And, whenever I wanna use MySQl, do I have to start that program winmysqladmin.exe?

Last Paragraph wrote
Upon launching that file you should now see a traffic signal in your system tray... Is the light green? Excellent you have MySQL ready to serve...

Is it green? Its working. As far as having to start winmysqladmin in order to start MySQL the simple answer is no. But, leave it to arguement and it is a good idea to launch it anyway as the traffic signal alone can tell you a lot about your database...
Otherwise, work your way into the MySQL database folder and dig in till you get to the bin folder. Once there, take a look inside. Sort it by names and starting from mysqld down to mysqld-opt are ways to start your database without winmysqladmin...
As far as the difference between them, it's too deep to cover here. Good luck 🙂

Robin

K, the green light comes 🙂
Where can I find more info about those other files ? and other ways to start the server?
thanks.

vbgunz

The best place to find out about those files are in the manual. Its very large and very resourceful in regards to MySQL. You can also check out their site at http://www.mysql.com
BTW, I am happy the guide helped you out... Mind giving me feedback about the new guide appearance? Thanks 🙂

TheLinker

First, I have not used this guide when I installed MySQL a long time ago... but it seems to cover the basic installation parts. I do have some comments to this guide, if you don't mind... :-)
The install directory for MySQL should not be inside some other programs main directory. MySQL can be used by other programs than CGI applications in Abyss. Also if the user for some reason decide to uninstall Abyss and use some other web server, it will make their Program Files directory more 'clean' because the Abyss directory now can be removed (after backing up those html, php files of course). If there is some other programs installed inside this directory, it can not be removed... and the user can by a mistake manually remove the rest. I've seen this happend, and it's not a pretty sight. 8O
So I recommend choosing either X:\MySQL or X:\Program Files\MySQL as the target dir for the installation.
I also think you should have a section here explaining the first important steps on setting up the default root account, just to get people started. It's been awhile since I did this, but I think it goes something like this:
After starting up the winmysqladmin and you have green lights, access the database for the first time from your command prompt:

c:\mysql\bin> mysql -u root mysql

From inside the mysql prompt, switch to the mysql database where the user accounts are located:

mysql> use mysql;

Set the password for the root account:

mysql> UPDATE user SET Password=PASSWORD('new_password') WHERE user='root';

mysql> FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Remove the blank user accounts:

mysql> DELETE FROM user WHERE user=’’;

I also delete the root account where the host field is set to '%'.

mysql> DELETE FROM user WHERE user=’root’ AND host='%';

Now the database only have one account, root, with the default host field set to localhost, and with a fresh password. There are still many security issues, so users installing MySQL should be somewhat familiar with http://www.mysql.com/documentation/mysql/bychapter/manual_MySQL_Database_Administration.html#Privilege_system .
The End... 8)

vbgunz

Thank you for your feedback Linker. I completely undestand your opinion about installing MySQL into a standlalone folder but this guide was created with only Abyss and its scripts in mind.
If anyone using Abyss needs MySQL for a script I simply thought MySQL would most likely only be used as an Abyss dependent application.
I've got my setup somewhat the same way and I do have other programs which need MySQL and they have no problem connecting to the port. Its not really a matter of where on the system path MySQL is located but whether or not the MySQL port is opened and running.
Also, other applications usually have a way to map system paths to MySQL and its vital parts.
I was thinking if I delete Abyss, I would no longer need MySQL and, other applications which need MySQL we're only really being used because Abyss needed them..
Your strongest point about nesting MySQL into another programs directory is the removing of the parent program. I completely agree with you on this point if someone wishes to delete Abyss but not MySQL...
If it came to this point, it shouldn't be much of a problem for the user if they simply backup all of their data... They can simply uninstall everyting, re-install MySQL where they wish and then re-install their data...
Another strong point about my setup is mobility. Abyss and MySQL are not too dependent on registry entries to run. They run perfectly together when I port them to another machine on the network.
As far as users having to password protect their database I strongly agree with you again. Theirs is so much to learn in regards to MySQL and I should at least have made a point in regards to it.
Overall, thank you for your feedback. I hope you understand I am not defending myself but letting you in on the reason about why I setup this guide this way.
Thanks Linker, your feedback and knowledge on these boards are always most valuable 🙂

booksiberia

Regarding the following:
"Also, make sure to place database/mysql into your Abyss path. "
how does one do that? by editing an environment variable? or by editing within the configuration file?
Please explain!

vbgunz

booksiberia wrote
Regarding the following:
"Also, make sure to place database/mysql into your Abyss path. "
how does one do that? by editing an environment variable? or by editing within the configuration file?
Please explain!

If Abyss is located at the following:
C:\Program Files\Abyss Web Server\ then MySQL would be located at C:\Program Files\Abyss Web Server\data\mysql
In the end it doesn't really matter where you install MySQL. All that really matters is if it runs with a greenlight. If it has a greenlight most of your php scripts should run without a problem. Good luck 🙂

divaone

I can't even get a green light! A while back I remember starting the mysql server and seeing nothing but green.. that was when I used phptriad. Since then I've screwed around with something and nothing seems to work anymore (minus aws :lol: ).
If someone could possibly help me just to get that nice green light to show I would greatly appreciate it. Here's some info:

win2000 sp3
fresh install of mysql v4
fresh install of MySQL Connector/ODBC 3.51

in winmysqladmin I get:
environment

MyODBC: Not found
Driver version: 03.51
Driver and Setup: c:\winnt\system32\myodbc3.dll
API level: 2
sql level: 1

server check

mysql path's key is empty .... yes
trying to fix
found: c:/program files/abyss web server/database/mysql/bin/mysqld-nt.exe

my.ini setup

[mysqld]
basedir=C:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/
datadir=C:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/data/
[WinMySQLAdmin]
Server=C:/Program Files/Abyss Web Server/database/mysql/bin/mysqld-nt.exe

Anyone know what I've possibly done wrong or what further files (pray tell) I must download and install to get the service working correctly?
Thank you in advance for any help.

SamoanOnion

ok, i got the green light, how do I go about creating a database, im trying to us the phpbb forum and I'm not sure where my dbase is. I followed all the steps in setting up my.ini file and like I said i have the green light. how do I create a dbase, or if it is already created, how do I know what it's called???
8O 8O 8O

vbgunz

You can either create your DB through commandline or follow this quick guide on installing phpMyAdmin which is a nice GUI for MySQL: http://www.aprelium.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1071
If you follow the the quick guide, once up (follow it closely) you'll be on your way to creating your phpBB DBs, users and passwords in no time with ease.
Good luck 🙂

SamoanOnion

ok, I got the green light on the sql server part, I have the sql gui. I tried to create a dbase (using the gui) and it asked me a bunch of questions about how many fields and what type of fields. is there a way I can just create it, being that its gonna be used by the phpbb forum, how am I supposed to know how many fields and what type of fields they're supposed to be :?: :?: :?:

vbgunz

I only use phpMyAdmin to administer MySQL. Right on the main page is a text field... Enter the DB name and hit go, presto, its done... If you're using a GUI other than phpMyAdmin seek its documentation for help. Good luck 🙂

sido

It's a very clear tutorial only I don't really understand why you go through the trouble of making a my.ini file yourself. The winMySQLadmin GUI is perfectly capable of creating one.
You only have to give a username and a password.
Anyway I guess I'm just lazy 😛

akrocks

Umm, i followed the directions, but im getting a red light. I think its because of this:
in the "myODBC" text box it says "Driver 3.51 Not Found"
Is that a problem? Is there something else i need to do? Please help, thanks!
--could it be because im using xp? I noticed it says for win95/98/nt/2000 but it if works on all those (especially 95 😉) it should work on xp....

s1asher

that message shouldn't affect it i think. I'm runnin XP, and it says that for me as well, but it works fine. Onlt time I've had a redlight is if I have stopped the service. Are you sure that its fully running (i.e. the service is also loaded)?

akrocks

I'm not sure becuase i never used mysql before. I follow the guide here... I also right clicked on the icon in the system try and click start the service and i get an error "Fails to start the service"
1.4 is the correct version, right?
---edit--
Ok! I reinstalled it and now i get a green light!!! wOOt!! 😃