Answer - You need the following tools to install a MySQL binary distribution: GNU gunzip to uncompress the distribution. A reasonable tar to unpack the distribution. GNU tar is known to work. Sun tar is known to have problems. An alternative installation method under Linux is to use RPM (RedHat Package Manager) distributions. If you run into problems, PLEASE ALWAYS USE mysqlbug when posting questions to mysql@lists.mysql.com. Even if the problem isn't a bug, mysqlbug gathers system information that will help others solve your problem. By not using mysqlbug, you lessen the likelihood of getting a solution to your problem! You will find mysqlbug in the `bin' directory after you unpack the distribution. The basic commands you must execute to install and use a MySQL binary distribution are: shell> groupadd mysql shell> useradd -g mysql mysql shell> cd /usr/local shell> gunzip < /path/to/mysql-VERSION-OS.tar.gz | tar xvf - shell> ln -s mysql-VERSION-OS mysql shell> cd mysql shell> scripts/mysql_install_db shell> chown -R mysql /usr/local/mysql shell> chgrp -R mysql /usr/local/mysql shell> bin/safe_mysqld --user=mysql & You can add new users using the bin/mysql_setpermission script if you install the DBI and Msql-Mysql-modules Perl modules. A more detailed description follows. Pick the directory under which you want to unpack the distribution, and move into it. In the example below, we unpack the distribution under `/usr/local' and create a directory `/usr/local/mysql' into which MySQL is installed. (The following instructions therefore assume you have permission to create files in `/usr/local'. If that directory is protected, you will need to perform the installation as root.)