Trying to upgrade from .9x to 1.8. Wiped out previous directory. Followed directions. When I try to run installer it tells me I cannot connect to database. Connecting to mysql at command line works fine with same parameters.

I also noticed that the /blogs/conf file does not get updated when I go to the installer page despite the fact that it is owned by apache and and has +w access. Very frustrating...previous version worked fine. Just can't get beyond the connection issue.

I've tried manually editing the _basic_conf.php file and changed all of the parameters for connection appropriately with no success. I even made sure that the same parameters as previous version are being used. Still no go.
Help...tnx