by Michael Dahle.
Because I have had problems trying to upgrade I attempted a fresh install instead (2.6.1). New database, new directory, new moodledata folder. I get through numerous steps of the installation and the installation process does communicate with the database as it creates 160 tables but after the server checks ok screen I get an "error writing to database" message.
I have attempted this twice with the same results. The first time, after getting the error when I shortened the URL back down to just the domain/folder I got to an install modules screen. When I clicked to continue it appeared to install some of them and then partway into the process came back with the same database error message.
Any ideas of where to go from here? Thanks.