can not insert/select MySql utf-8 strings with odbc driver

can not insert/select MySql utf-8 strings with odbc driver Hi, I have a mysql server on win 2003. i want to use utf-8 strings (hebrew,arabic,etc) with the database. I use odbc connection from a c# code. 1. When I put the strings (from the c# code) I see question marks in the db. 2. when I change the value to the right one (using update statemant in mysql tools) I see it correctly in selecting using the mysql tools, but the c# code gets invalid values. For an hebrew utf-8 string of 5 chars (10 bytes) I got 22 chars of garbage from the db. I'm looking for a WORKING SOLUTION for insert/retrive (small working program for demo). Notes: - My connection has the "set names utf8" in the initial statemant - the column collation is "utf8_general_ci" - odbc driver version is 3.5.1 - mysql version is 5.0.27 - Changing driver to SQL net of beta version of ODBC (5 or else) are not acceptable. tnx, danny ## Deliverables 1) Complete and fully-functional working program(s) in executable form as well as complete source code of all work done. 2) Deliverables must be in ready-to-run condition, as follows (depending on the nature of the deliverables): a) For web sites or other server-side deliverables intended to only ever exist in one place in the Buyer's environment--Deliverables must be installed by the Seller in ready-to-run condition in the Buyer's environment. b) For all others including desktop software or software the buyer intends to distribute: A software installation package that will install the software in ready-to-run condition on the platform(s) specified in this bid request. 3) All deliverables will be considered "work made for hire" under U.S. Copyright law. Buyer will receive exclusive and complete copyrights to all work purchased. (No GPL, GNU, 3rd party components, etc. unless all copyright ramifications are explained AND AGREED TO by the buyer on the site per the coder's Seller Legal Agreement). ## Platform mysql win2003