trouble starting the mysql server ./mysql/host.frm not found (misleading message)
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Here's why. Your mysql directory, where host.frm lives,
is owned by root and only readable by root, but mysqld runs as user mysql.
Try (as root)

cd /var/lib/mysql
chown -R mysql:mysql .

As you say you've tried messing with host.frm, you might also want to rerun mysql_install_db just in case.
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thanks to Harold Stassen...mysql forum

just learned that the mysql:mysql sets owner and group in one bang

seems mysql needs some application of the set uid facility

mysql comes with Redhat (and other (et al)) Linices

Mysql SQL doesn't understand the Oracle data type "number(p,n)"

Free and fun!

mysql manual is on your HD already

file:///usr/share/doc/mysql-3.23.52/manual.html put into browser

by the way, currently using Netscape 7.1 under Redhat 8

prevents popups and may run .aspx ????