MJ, yes it works adding -h localhost : [root at cm-vina8-190-111 bin]# ./mysql -u root -h localhost -pxxxx Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g. Your MySQL connection id is 1 to server version: 4.0.20-standard-log Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer. mysql>_ did work so what now?!! J0se