manual.texi clarify some of the Windows startup procedure

All of the above binaries are optimised for the Pentium Pro

processor but should work on any Intel processor >= i386.

In the following circumstances you will need to use the MySQL

configuration file:

You will need to use an option file to specify your MySQL configuration

under the following circumstances:

@itemize @bullet

@item

The install/data directories are different than the default

@file{c:\mysql} and @file{c:\mysql\data}.

The installation or data directories are different than the default

locations (@file{c:\mysql} and @file{c:\mysql\data}).

@item

If you want to use one of the these servers:

You want to use one of these servers:

@itemize @bullet

@item mysqld.exe

@item mysqld-max.exe

@item mysqld-max-nt.exe

@end itemize

@item

If you need to tune the server settings.

You need to tune the server settings.

@end itemize

Normally you can use the @code{WinMySQLAdmin} tool to edit the

configuration file @code{my.ini}. In this case you don't have to worry

option file @code{my.ini}.  In this case you don't have to worry

about the following section.

There are two configuration files with the same function: @file{my.cnf}

and @file{my.ini} file, however please note that only of one these

should be used to avoid confusion. Both files are plain text.  The

@file{my.cnf} file , if used, should be created in the root directory of

drive C and the @file{my.ini} file on the WinDir directory e.g:

@file{C:\WINDOWS} or @file{C:\WINNT}.  MySQL will first read the

@code{my.ini} file, followed by the @code{my.cnf} file.

There are two option files with the same function: @file{my.cnf} and

@file{my.ini} file.  However, to avoid confusion, it's best if you use only

of one them. Both files are plain text.  The @file{my.cnf} file, if used,

should be created in the root directory of drive C.  The @file{my.ini}

file, if used, should be created in the Windows system directory (e.g.,

@file{C:\WINDOWS} or @file{C:\WINNT}).  MySQL will look first for the

@code{my.ini} file, then for the @code{my.cnf} file.

If your PC uses a boot loader where the C drive isn't the boot drive,

then your only option is to use the @file{my.ini} file.  Also note that

if you use the @code{WinMySQLAdmin} tool, only the @file{my.ini} file is

used by this tool. The @file{\mysql\bin} directory contains a help file

with instructions for using this tool.

if you use the @code{WinMySQLAdmin} tool, it uses only the @file{my.ini}

file.  The @file{\mysql\bin} directory contains a help file with

instructions for using this tool.

Using @code{notepad.exe}, create the configuration file and

edit the base section and keys:

Using @code{notepad.exe}, create the option file and edit the

@code{[mysqld]} section to specify values for the @code{basedir} and

@code{datadir} parameters:

@example

[mysqld]

datadir=the_data_path

@end example

If the data directory is other than the default

@file{c:\mysql\data}, you must cut the whole @file{\data\mysql}

directory and paste it on the your option new directory,

e.g.: @file{d:\mydata\mysql}.

Note that Windows pathnames should be specified in option files using

forward slashes rather than backslashes.  If you do use backslashes, you

must double them.

If you would like to use a data directory different than the default of

@file{c:\mysql\data}, you must copy the entire contents of the

@file{c:\mysql\data} directory to the new location.

If you want to use the @code{InnoDB} transactional tables, you

need to manually create two new directories to hold the InnoDB

data and log files, e.g. @file{c:\ibdata} and @file{c:\iblogs}.

You will also need to add some extra lines to the configuration

You will also need to add some extra lines to the option

file. @xref{InnoDB start}.

If you don't want to use @code{InnoDB} tables, add the

@code{skip-innodb} option to the configuration file.

@code{skip-innodb} option to the option file.

Now you are ready to test starting the server.