Eugenio,
I saw your suggestions and I have initially tried to use the line you provided but I still get an error. I am wondering if it has something to do with the database schema. Here is a copy:
CREATE TABLE customers_tab (
ID_cust smallint(6) NOT NULL auto_increment,
first_name varchar(50) NOT NULL default '',
last_name varchar(50) NOT NULL default '',
country varchar(50) NOT NULL default '',
phone varchar(20) NOT NULL default '',
email varchar(50) NOT NULL default '',
web_site varchar(100) NOT NULL default '',
notes text NOT NULL,
status text NOT NULL,
job_request varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
job_quote varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
job_doc varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
co_name varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
co_address varchar(255) NOT NULL default '',
PRIMARY KEY (ID_cust)
) TYPE=3DMyISAM;