completely remove mysql and reinstall
 

Hi, I've been having loads of trouble with mysql and I now want to completely remove all traces of it from my system . Redhat9 with apache2 and php 4 is what i have... I want to get rid of mysql server client and tables and user details.. Can anyone help? thanks

Well, first I'd find out what mysql rpm's I have installed:

rpm -qa | grep mysql

Then remove the whatever packages it says you have installed related to mysql by doing:

rpm -e <package name>

Then just to make sure run:

updatedb
locate mysql | more

I'm not sure if deleting the rpm's leaves the mysql databases so check to make sure that /var/lib/mysql has been deleted. That is where all the mysql databases are created by default.

Ok I've done all that and it's looking good. All that i have left is my php manual (the mysql part is showing up) and a file called "/var/run/mysqld"... Should i delete the mysqld???

Ok I have reinstalled 'MySQL-server-4.0.18-0' & 'MySQL-client-4.0.18-0' . they are both working correctly and I also have httpd (apache2) installed aswell. Php (4) seems to be working correctly but in my phpinfo.php page MySQL is not mentioned anywhere and doesn't seem to be working with my login process on my website. Any ideas on what might be wrong?

I think you need to install the php-mysql package or mysql-php package. I forget what its called.