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Step 1: Installing the mySQL 4.1 Database Server
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Join me as I do a step-by-step installation of the mySQL 4.1 database server on my Windows 2000 Professional machine.

  1. I'm using dBASE Plus 2.21, Windows 2000 Professional and Mozilla Firefox web browser. Some steps and/or screen messages may vary slightly if you are using different products.
  2. If you have a previous installation of mySQL server on your machine, please check the version. If upgrading from versions of MySQL prior to 4.1.5, you must uninstall the existing version before installing a new version. Later versions may be upgraded with the installer without uninstalling.
  3. Click on the mySQL logo above, which will open a new browser window and take you to their homepage. Click on the 'Developer Zone' tab. On the right side of the page, look for:
    DOWNLOADS & DOCUMENTATION:
    * MySQL Database Server
          o Generally Available (GA) 4.1.12
    Click on the 'Generally Available' link.
  4. Read all of the interesting and informative stuff. Scroll down. Further. A little further. All the way down to 'Windows Downloads'. Locate the 'Windows Essentials (x86)' line. Click on 'Pick a mirror' to the right of that.
  5. You may be taken to a survey screen, in which case you can answer the questions or click on the 'No thanks, just take me to the Downloads!' link.
  6. Choose a download site that is close to you if possible. Click on 'HTTP' and then 'Save to Disk'.
  7. When the download is complete, double-click on the .msi file to start the installation process.
  8. The first screen gives general information. Click on 'Next'.
  9. The next screen is for Setup Type. I am going to leave it on 'Typical' as I have no customizations to make at this time. Click on 'Next'.
  10. The next screen is a summary of installation choices. Review them and click on 'Install' if you are happy. If not, you can click 'Back' and make changes.
  11. I was then presented with a screen that wanted me to create a mySQL.com account and 'Sign Up' to something, probably a mailing list. I chose the 'Skip Sign-up' option at the bottom and clicked 'Next'.
  12. The next screen tells us that the installation is complete and offers the option to 'Configure the mySQL Server now'. Make sure that this is checked. Click on 'Finish'. (I couldn't find the 'Canadian' button, and I thought it was a Swedish product, but what the hey.)
  13. We are now in the 'mySQL Server Instance Configuration Wizard'. Read the valuable information and click on 'Next'.
  14. Hmmmm... this is interesting. The default is 'Detailed Configuration' but I would much rather go with the 'Standard Configuration' choice, which applies to me as I do not already have a mySQL server on this machine. It claims that it will allow for some manual tuning, if required. Click on 'Standard Configuration' and then 'Next'.
  15. I left the next screen as is: I want to install as a service and have it launched automatically. I have no intention to do anything from the command line, so I am leaving the 'Include Bin Directory in Windows PATH' unchecked. Click on 'Next'.
  16. The next screen allows us to set security options. In my case, I will only be connecting to the machine locally so all I have to do is enter a password for the administrator account and retype it. The userID for this administrator account is 'root'. Be sure to write the userID and password down somewhere secure so that when you come back in 3 months, you will be able to access your server. I do not want to allow root access remotely or create an anonymous account - both of these options could create insecurity and we don't want that. Click on 'Next'.
  17. The next screen will give us some feedback as it attempts to do the configuration. Click on 'Execute' and watch carefully as it does things.
  18. When it's all over, the screen shows:

    Be sure to take note of where the configuration file is located, in case you have to do any tweaking. Click on 'Finish'.
  19. Just to be sure, I opened up my 'Services' console and sure enough, there it was. Already running and configured to start automatically.

Next: Step 2: Installing the mySQL ODBC Driver 3.51

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