MySQL server gone away query_Error Message..What can I do?

Status: 
Open
Question: 

I uploaded some Drupal modules with Filezilla. I got this error message....Warning: MySQL server has gone away query: INSERT INTO watchdog (uid, type, message, variables, severity, link, location, referer, hostname, timestamp) VALUES (1, 'php', '%message in %file on line %line.', 'a:4:{s:6:\"%error\";s:12:\"user warning\";s:8:\"%message\";s:162077:\"MySQL server has gone away\nquery: UPDATE cache_update SET data = 'a:17:{s:14:\\"auto_nodetitle\\";a:10:{s:5:\\"title\\";s:20:\\"Automatic Nodetitles\\";s:10:\\"short_name\\";s:14:\\"auto_nodetitle\\";s:10:\\"dc:creator\\";s:4:\\"fago\\";s:11:\\"api_version\\";s:3:\\"6.x\\";s:17:\\"recommended_major\\";s:1:\\"1\\";s:16:\\"supported_majors\\";s:1:\\"1\\";s:13:\\"default_major\\";s:1:\\"1\\";s:14:\\& in /home/nagarida/public_html/includes/database.mysql.inc on line 128

Responses

1. Hi, This is usually a problem

Hi,

This is usually a problem with your server.

Try disabling the update module to lower the load.

2. Modify my.cnf

This problem appears when MySQL must deal with heavy queries, as yours. To solve this open the MySQL configuration file (my.cnf) and add the following two lines:

[mysqld]
max_allowed_packet=24M

3. Gabriel thank you for your

Gabriel thank you for your reply to my question. Could you please help me to access the (my.cnf) file?

I am a newbie so please be patient.
For instance question 1)if I want to access the my.cnf file on my localhost development/test site how do I get to the file. Do I open it in notetab or dreamweaver?
question 2) How do I access the my.cnf file thru FTP on my live/production site?