Im wanting to install Coppermine Gallery to my current forum. I am using Invision Power Board v2.1.7. I dont really know even where to start or how to do this? Do I just download the Coppermine Gallery and install it? Any help would be great.
Install Coppermine and then bridge it following the instructions in the manual.
Don't install it into a sub-folder of your forum though, but into a folder within your webroot. Coppermine is not an add-on for a Forum, although you might want to use it that way.
Link to documentation at the top of this page - it's mandatory to read it before posting questions. That's one of our board rules (http://forum.coppermine-gallery.net/index.php?topic=22469.msg140696#msg140696) that you agreed to respect when signing up.
do I use the same Mysql database as my forum?
You don't have to.
...but you can.
From the docs:
QuoteCoppermine will not create this database for you - it must exist prior to any attempt at installing coppermine. (If you do not have a pre-designated database, you will have to create one, provided you have the authority on your site to do so).