newbie stuck again

Here's what i have done. i have downloaded a very simple database manager from www.hotscripts.com. It allows me to edit, delete and add new information to the database. i have a couple of problems. 1. form field dont fill with all the data senback from the db to be edited, as fars as i am aware all fields except 'review' are long enough 2. In my common.php file for connecting to the db i have <? $database=mysql_connect ("localhost", "blah", "****") or die ('I cannot connect to the database because: ' . mysql_error()); mysql_select_db ("***_vinrev"); $tablename="albums"; ?> I have 2 tables in my database and would like to use a "drop down menu" to select the table we wish to view and edit. so taken $tablename out of the common.php file and having it sset within the main navigation. i am pretty sure i can set the drop down menu option but what is/would be the $query for returning how many and display table names? Cheers Paul http://thor.ancilenetworks.co.uk/~pferrie/vinrev/adm/myadmin.html