dl("php_mysql.dll") required in Windows?

mySQL problem:
The initial Zencart install script thinks that (mySQL support is OFF)(red colored error). I am on a Windows server. My host Aplus.net says I need to put this code in front of each SQL script to ensure the cart code recognizes php_mysql -- dl("php_mysql.dll").

They see mySQL DB and PHP as OK.

I am lost here, is there something I should look in to to resolve this?

Configuring the server to use MySQL natively is something your hosting company should do for you.
I recommend that you find a host that doesn't require you to make unconventional changes to your site just to use a software package on it.

I have too many swebsite with them. Can you give me a line of text to tell my Host that will clearly help them understand the configuration problem is on their end so they will keep working on it? They are convinced it is my code.

Thanks

Zen Cart works on the assumption that PHP is configured with mysql support already enabled in it, since that's the traditional server configuration model. If your hosting company operates with a non-standard configuration, then I'd be telling them it's up to them to give you detailed instructions to adapt any application designed according to standard configurations to work with their non-standard server config.

Sorry to pass the buck, but it belongs in their lap.

FYI - Aplus.net host had this final thing to say about Mysql not working with Zencart. Maybe this is an optional change you can add to future versions of Zencart. I have too many webs with this host, I will have to find another cart I guess:

Due to the nature of Windows servers setup, you will have to include the following code before a call to mysql_connect in whichever scripts you are using to access mysql. If this is too much of an inconvenience you could create a unix hosting plan which is set up already with connection to mysql.

To enable Mysql on Win server plans. Add this before a call to mysql_connect.

if (!extension_loaded('mysql')) {
if (!dl('php_mysql.dll')) {
echo "Failed to load dynamic library php_mysql.dll
<br />";
exit;
}
}

I would suggest that they reword their response to you ... "Due to the nature of our Windows servers setup ..."

That is not a traditional configuration ... it's unique to their server setup.

You could put the code they suggested into a new file: /includes/extra_configures/aplus_enable_mysql.php
and add this to the top of the file, before pasting their suggested code into it:```