Yes, I see the problem
I reinstalled it using a prefix pt_ to the db table. It installed perfectly, but with none of my old posts (though it did have the Nixon graphic from my Kubrick tweak).
Since this destroyed my original site, I have delete the experimental one and reuploaded the original one, which does not have the pt_ prefix. I’ll just leave this in its present folder, and create a new subdirectory when I install a new wordpress blog.
Right now this one is in gallerynews/americanbystander. The next one, WordPress 1.5, may be in breederbullies/po or wherever.