OK, I just updated from 7.3 to 8. So far, good.
I 'rpm -e' the mysql rpm's that were 3.53 and ...

[root@rotor root]# rpm -i 
/home/pete/Downloads/MySQL-shared-3.23.55-1.i386.rpm
         package MySQL-shared-3.23.55-1 is already installed
[root@rotor root]# rpm -i 
/home/pete/Downloads/MySQL-client-3.23.55-1.i386.rpm
[root@rotor root]# rpm -i 
/home/pete/Downloads/MySQL-devel-3.23.55-1.i386.rpm
[root@rotor root]# rpm -i /home/pete/Downloads/MySQL-3.23.55-1.i386.rpm 

Installing all prepared tables
030206 19:55:47  /usr/sbin/mysqld: Shutdown Complete


PLEASE REMEMBER TO SET A PASSWORD FOR THE MySQL root USER !
This is done with:
/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root  password 'new-password'
/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h rotor.byerlyelectric.com  password 
'new-password'
See the manual for more instructions.

NOTE:  If you are upgrading from a MySQL <= 3.22.10 you should run
the /usr/bin/mysql_fix_privilege_tables. Otherwise you will not be
able to use the new GRANT command!

Please report any problems with the /usr/bin/mysqlbug script!

The latest information about MySQL is available on the web at
http://www.mysql.com
Support MySQL by buying support/licenses at https://order.mysql.com

Starting mysqld daemon with databases from /var/lib/mysql
[root@rotor root]# /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root  password 'new-password'
/usr/bin/mysqladmin: unable to change password; error: 'Access denied 
for user:
'@localhost' to database 'mysql''
[root@rotor root]# /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h 
rotor.byerlyelectric.com  password 'new-password'
[root@rotor root]# /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root  password 'new-password'
/usr/bin/mysqladmin: unable to change password; error: 'Access denied 
for user:
'@localhost' to database 'mysql''
[root@rotor root]# /usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h localhost  password 
'new-password'

/usr/bin/mysqladmin: unable to change password; error: 'Access denied 
for user:
'@localhost' to database 'mysql''
[root@rotor root]#


As you can see, I tried the first with the error I got, but the 2nd that 
had the host ID'd was ok. Then I tried to use localhost, but that didn't 
do it either.

In webmin I can see the 2 databases, but I can't get access.

Suggestions please!

Thanks
pete