Easy it aint, kept getting this...

The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log for more detail.

But here's how to fix it,

Get MySQL

First download MySQL

• MySQL Download

Install MySQL

Now unzip the executable and install it, when it's finished and asking you if you want to run the configuration tool, don't; we'll deal with this in a minute.

Install Resource Hacker

Now to fix the MySQL Instance Configuration Tool, so it will install the MySQL service in Vista, download Resource Hacker...

• Resource Hacker

Unzip it and open it's folder, then Right-Click on ResourceHacker and Run as Administrator.

Edit Resources

Now using Resource Hacker open the file...

• C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\bin\MySQLInstanceConfig.exe

Navigate to 24 / 1 / 1033 and look at the config on the left. On line 6 you should see asAdministrator, change this to requireAdministrator then click Compile Script; then finally Save the file.

Run MySQL Instance Config

Finally run the MySQL Instance Configuration tool from within...

• C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.0\bin\MySQLInstanceConfig.exe

This should now be able to create the system service and finally give you MySQL running on Windows Vista.