Can't install MySQL 5.5 on Windows 7

Question

This morning I still had a working instance of MySQL on my Win 7 dev box, as part of a XAMPP installation. Then I decide to try a standalone MySQL; I uninstalled XAMPP, downloaded the MySQL 5.5.17 msi package, and ran it. I have now tried 3 times, the last time after removing all traces of MySQL from my machine, and each time I get the same error.

The installation runs fine, then kicks off the Instance Config Wizard. This runs fine until the "Applying security settings" step, which fails with an "Access denied" error for the root user. It suggests opening 3306 on the firewall, but it has already done this for me.

I have installed MySQL as standalone some time ago without any problem. What could be wrong here?

Answer 1

Have you tried rebooting your windows ?

It seems that your uninstall of previous MySQL left some files behind, most possibly DLL's in the system folder that are loaded into memory and can't be released until you reboot your computer.

If that's the case, a reboot should allow you to install a new version of MySQL, overwriting those DLL's without any problem.

Plan B: Do you have any antivirus software enabled that could be blocking copying of certain files to system folder ?

Answer 2

I agree, it sounds like some XAMPP or MySQL files have been left behind. Just a suggestion but maybe try one of these (http://download.cnet.com/windows/uninstallers/) to completely get rid of the software?