Can't change character set

[dave5398]

I want to use a different character set to allow my database to be used in Russian.
Doing SHOW VARIABLES shows the character set koi8_ru is included. I tried to create a table using this but failed. I then tried an experiment and copied the following from the MYSQL online manual:

CREATE DATABASE abcd CHARACTER SET latin1

This also failed and gave me an error. I've tried every combination of quote marks and capitals and nothing works. Anyone any ideas?

Dave

[dave5398]

Following on from my previous post about character sets it occurs to me someone if they reply might ask what version of mysql I'm on - problem is I have no idea how to find out - perhaps someone could enlighten me on that one as well.

Thanks.

Dave