MDAC Updated - MySQL runs but nothing can connect

[Terragen]

Installing a program to test for my friend (maximizer) the damn thing messed with MDAC. I uninstalled it but obviously it didnt help. I have tried to uninstall mdac (no luck) and update it, update JET drivers, uninstall and reinstall mysql many times
it just doesnt work.

I am running windows nt 4 and i installed service pack 6 - still no help

the server runs fine as i can telnet to the computer and it connects - even the winmysqladmin knows its up

however everything from mysql.exe to my php pages cannot connect to the server even though its running

i know its got something to do with that program messing with mdac drivers but i tried reinstalling the newest ones and it just wont work (and the old ones wont uninstall)

any help is greatly appreciated as I need my database back up and running

many thanks

[firepages]

Hi MySQL will function independantly from MDAC so that is not your problem (assuming you are just using PHP's native mysql functions to connect)

ctrl-alt-del .. is mysqld-nt.exe showing in your process list ?

if it is then its a problem with your connection routine in PHP OR you have a firewall that is messing with port 3306 which is the default port MySQL serves to.

If mysqld-nt.exe is not showing up in your process list (or most network monitors will show its existance) , then open a command prompt and cd to your mysql\bin directory - type `mysql`and tell us what response you get.

[Terragen]

Well thats what i figured. I know you can create dsn connections using a mysql driver but my php board doesnt do this. The thing is though, that the errors started happening right after this windows MDAC update took place. Since then I have uninstalled and reinstalled mysql a few times to no avail.

The winmysqladmin.exe connects to the server fine (yes it is running)
i have tried stopping and starting it
no use

it is running
just nothing aside from winmysqladmin can connect to it

i can telnet to port 3306 and get a prompt so i know its working
but everything else just tells me its not there

im not running any firewall software