this is what I get when doing as you said

svr1:~ # /etc/init.d/mysql start
mkdir: cannot create directory `/var/lib/mysql/.tmp': No such file or directory
chown: cannot access `/var/lib/mysql/.tmp': No such file or directory
chmod: cannot access `/var/lib/mysql/.tmp': No such file or directory
Starting service MySQL done

As far as an exsisting DB im not too sure on that although I doubt it, this is still a fresh install unless suse adds a DB in somewhere along the install that is not showing during the install. I had no problems with earlier version of suse and installing. Now this is driving me crazy and has been 4 days and now 5 fresh installs, the same thing happening each time. :blink: