A few tips about how to use ...

HOW-TO Install

1. Download the install package, filename is mysql-noinstall-5.1.22-rc-win32.zip in this case.
2. Extract it to the installation location, traditionally, the MySQL server uses "c:\mysql", but my option is "e:\HTTPD\mysql", any location you like is OK.
3. Create your own config file, it's a good idea to put this file in your MySQL server installation location, not the system path. You may create this file just containing a [mysqld] section:
   1. [mysqld]
   2. # set basedir to your installation path
   3. basedir=E:\\HTTPD\\mysql
   4. # set datadir to the location of your data directory
   5. datadir=E:\\HTTPD\\mysql\\data
4. Install MySQL as a Windows service, use the command:
   1. mysqld --install-manual MYSQL51 --defaults-file=e:\HTTPD\mysql\my.ini
   2. mysqld --install MYSQL51 --defaults-file=e:\HTTPD\mysql\my.ini
   Either of the above is ok, the difference is the first command will install the service started manually. "MYSQL51" is the service name.
5. Start the service, enter this command:
   1. net start MYSQL51
6. Now, all the steps are finished! You can use this:
   1. mysql -u root
   to confirm your MySQL is running.

Notes

1. MySQL looks for options first in the my.ini file, and then in the my.cnf file, so it's better to name the config file my.ini
2. You may just modify one of the my-*.ini files and rename it to my.ini, according to your situation.
3. A root use is set by default, and no root password set. So DON'T use -p option in the command below until you've set a root password.

Some useful commands