In a perhaps insane attempt to keep my system up to date, I'm trying a more-or-less in place replacement of the MySQL database server.

Currently the server's running v3.23.something; I've already downloaded and am compiling v4.1.13 in another window. I cannot find, and did not take the time to find, where to specify the port number of the server when it's running, so the new version will try to use the same network port as the old. That means that only one at a time can be running. That means that for some period of time there will be no database accessibility. Eek!

I will continue to research the port issue. There must be some runtime parameter or configuration file I just have not identified.

Additionally, I need to backup the databases and ensure I can rebuild them on the new.

Cross your fingers...I am.