How to start MySQL server on windows xp

Here is the ZIP file that I had downloaded: mysql-5.7.15-winx64.zip

Here are the steps to start MYSQL Server (mysql-5.7.15-winx64) for the first time on Windows:

1. Create a new folder named "data" in MYSQL installation directory (i.e. in the same location as where "bin" directory is located. For me it is: C:\programs\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\mysql-5.7.15-winx64. This location will vary as per the location where you have extracted the MYSQL zip file)
2. From here I will use my MYSQL folder location as reference. Go to: C:\programs\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\bin and execute the command: mysqld --initialize-insecure or mysqld --initialize depending on whether you want the server to generate a random initial password for the 'root'@'localhost' account.
3. To start the DB, go to: C:\programs\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\bin and execute mysqld --console You can see the start-up logs being printed.
4. To connect to DB, go to: C:\programs\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\mysql-5.7.15-winx64\bin and execute mysql -u root -p. When prompted, Enter password if it has been set or else just hit "Enter" button to connect

If the command prompt does not work in Windows, try the following:

1) Open services in Windows.

2) Then check the status for Mysql and if you found status nothing or blank then start the mysql service.

3) After then see whether the mysql is start or not .If it shows started then try to check mysql working.

It has worked for me when cmd commands were not working.

I was using MySQL Server 5.5 as a result I was missing the folder which majority of the answers made mention of in the bin folder. What I did instead was the following:

1. Open Explorer and make your way to C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.5\bin or your MySQL installation directory.
2. Run the executable application MySQLInstanceConfig and follow the images below.

This solved my issue and I was able to access the database without any errors.

first thing you need to do is to start the mysql for that you can use E:\mysql-5.1.39-win32\bin>net start mysql (only when there a mysql running as service) then you can execute E:\mysql-5.1.39-win32\bin>mysql -u root

mysql -u root -p

After entering this command in terminal, it will ask for password Enter the password and you are ready to go!

there is one of the best solution do resolve this problem and it is going to work 100%. as we know that server is a process so treat it like a process go to the task manager in windows and see for services in task manager in that service see for Mysql and MS80 and try to start it manually by click on it and say run then will take some time.

go to your mysql workbench and click on start/shutdown then try to refresh the server status in server status option. it will load up thats it.

1.Open a command prompt as Administrator.

2.Go to MySQL installed bin directory in program files.

3.Copy the location of the bin directory from windows explorer.

4.In command prompt type cd and (paste the location) and do enter.

5.Type mysqld --initialize

6.Open services from the windows menu and sort the list by name.

7.Right-click Mysql and click start.

use the command "mysql -u root -p" in the bin folder path. and give the MY SQL password which you have set earlier.