mysql configuration stops at "starting server"

Solution 1:

Here is what I did:

1. Installed it with mysql-installer-web-community-5.6.23.0.msi
2. For my purposes I selected "Custom" install with MySQL servers 5.6.22 - X64 and MySQL Connectors -> Connector ODBC/5.3.4 - 64
3. Next -> Execute -(ready to configure) -> Next
4. Config type: Development machine, all defaults (TCP/IP, Port: 3306, Open firewall)
5. Typed in MySQL Root Password
6. MySQL user Accounts -> Add user (username, password, OK) -> Next
7. Configure MySQL Server as a Windows Service (CHECKED)
8. Windows Service Name: MySQL56 (default)
9. Start the MySQL Serve at System Startup
10. THIS IS CRUCIAL (BUG IS HERE): Run Service as... Standard System Account (CHECKED - but it will be disregarded and that is BUG)
11. Next -> Execute, Installation hangs on Starting server, so wait for a while to time out (or don't, your choice). When Dialog (might be covered with other windows) popup with message "Configuration of MySQL Server is taking longer than expected..., here click OK (so to wait longer)
12. Meanwhile go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services -> find MySQL56, right click on it -> Properties -> select Log On Tab AND HERE IS BUG -> Although Local System Account was selected, Somehow "This account: Network Service (with some password) was selected -> Select Log on as: Local System Account, Allow service to interact with desktop -> Apply -> Go back on general tab
13. On general tab click on "Start" button to start service and here it is! Service is started! Click on OK to close MySQL56 Properties dialog. Close Services dialog. Close Administrative tools. Close control panel.
14. And by that time (while you were closing those dialogs) when you look at MySQl Installer Dialog all steps are finished and checked: Starting Server, Applying security... Creating user accounts.. Updating Start menu link
15. Confirm with Finish -> Next -> Finish

That's it, happy MySQL-ing :)

Solution 2:

The installer has another issue that I discovered today.

I had the same issue of the installer hanging on "Starting Server". However, after looking at the windows Event Viewer under Windows Logs -> Application, I discovered the error

"Too many arguments (first extra is 'Something').For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://www.mysql.com.".

The issue is that the installer cannot handle spaces in the windows service name (the name I used was Something MySQL). Simply change the name to one without spaces.

Solution 3:

My issue was the special character in the password.

What I did to resolve being stuck at the Attempting to Start Server:
1. Use the installer to uninstall the previous version/installation
2. Validate and delete the existing MySQL Folders (DATA and App)
3. Re-install using the installer
4. Use a strong lengthy password with no special character password

Solution 4:

The MySQL developers insist that running the MySQL service Logged On as NETWORK SERVICE IS the proper way to do it and that running it as LOCAL SYSTEM opens security holes. Okay, people, the root of the problem here is that NETWORK SERVICE can't access the locations where the log files are configured to be. I suspect this error occurs when a folder is specified (by clicking Browse) that the NETWORK SERVICE doesn't have access to. In my case, I specified the log files to be written under My Documents in a folder called MySQL Logs. So, (and this can be done while the installer dialog is open, it says the installer is taking a long time, and prompting you to Wait or Cancel,):

I simply granted full control of that folder to the NETWORK SERVICE by right-clicking on the folder, selecting Properties, selecting Security, then clicking Add, then typing in "NETWORK SERVICE". Then I selected NETWORK SERVICE and clicked the checkboxes Allow for Full control and Modify.