How to display db data

Hi,

I have a separate database ‘XXX’ besides the wordpress db. I want to create a page to display data from this XXX db.

I have created a page using a dedicated template xTest. When I run the page the error tells me it is trying to find wordpress tables in my XXX db.

WordPress database error: [Table 'XXX.wp_posts' doesn't exist]
SELECT * FROM wp_posts WHERE ID = 5 LIMIT 1

Obviously XXX does not have a table called ‘wp_posts’

Here is the code for my template file ‘xTest.php’ (incomplete)

<?php
/**
 * Template Name: xTest Template
 *
 * Description: for ..t.
 */
?>
<?php get_header(); ?>

<?php
$host="localhost";
$user="root";
$password="xyz";
$database="MySchool";

$conn=mysql_connect($host,$user,$password);
$ok=mysql_select_db($database,$conn);

?>
		<div id="primary">
			<div id="content" role="main">
			</div><!-- #content -->
		</div><!-- #primary -->

<?php get_footer(); ?>

I think mysql_select_db() is causing the error.

Can anyone tell me what is wrong?
Can anyone suggest a better way of displaying data from a second database? I have to use a separate db because existing programs are already using it.

Thanks