error handling for mysql_query

i'm not sure why this is not working on my set up:

$sql = "select * from table [COLOR="Red"][B]XXXXX[/B][/COLOR]";
$rst = mysql_query($sql);

if(!rst) {
  print "<br>Error: " . mysql_error() . "<br><br>";
}
else {
  print "Success!";
}

Code (markup):

the sql syntax is obviously wrong but somehow the condition (!rst) never returns true - i.e. i always get "Success" displayed...

anyone know if there are any settings i need to set up or change in my php.ini file? or what's the reason behind this?

 

change:

to:

 

it's confirmed - i'm getting old and blind...

thanks a million - i have been sitting here looking at the damn thing for hours... some green on its way...

 

Happens to everyone.... If I only counted the lost hours...