--Don't fear the build process, but you should backup your old drivers because that is "the smart thing to do". If you have installed a new version of MySQL and are using an older DBD::mysql it is possible that the libs have been updated and your DBD::mysql file can't be loaded. -- ah ha!! this is what i kinda suspect. the DBD::mysql is from 1997! and mysql was installed in 2000 (we're a bit behind the time i wager) . i really wish the admin would give a damn. thanks for the mailing list link!!