Can’t write tables to 2nd database with install.php

I have WP2.3.2 set up and running since about last year.
Now, I’m attempting set up another instance of WP using PHP5

The new second database has been created. I can create tables in it manually using myphpAdmin.
I’ve configured wp-config both manually and let WP set it up for me using the wp-admin/setup-config.php method.

End result is that WP will not create the tables needed.
Here is the abbreviated message I get after running install.php:

WordPress database error Table ‘writerone.wp_options’ doesn’t exist for query SELECT option_value FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = ‘siteurl’ WordPress database error Table ‘writerone.wp_options’ doesn’t exist for query SELECT option_name, option_value FROM wp_options WHERE autoload = ‘yes’ WordPress database error Table ‘writerone.wp_options’ doesn’t exist for query SELECT option_name, option_value FROM wp_options WordPress database error Table ‘writerone.wp_options’ doesn’t exist for query SELECT option_value FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = ‘home’ LIMIT 1 WordPress