Can't enter SQL commands phpMyAdmin

Hi,

I'm using Debian(jessie). I created a database(Cars) using phpMyAdmin's Create database function. I'm following along a book "The Joy of php". After the table is created the author wants to create a table (INVENTORY) using SQL commands. Well, phpMyAdmin will not let me enter any text in the SQL query text area. I created the table using the Create table function(buttons). If I click on the INVENTORY table in the left window-pane or the tab above I get the following error message:

Error

SELECT 'prefs' FROM 'phpmyadmin' . 'pma__table_uiprefs' WHERE 'username' = 'jeff' AND 'db_name' = 'Cars' AND 'table_name' = 'INVENTORY'

MySQL said:

#1146 - Table 'phpmyadmin.pma__table_uiprefs'
doesn't exist

If I click on columns under INVENTORY or the Structure tab above I can view the table and columns. Also when I click on the SQL tab I can view the table columns in the right-hand pane and the number 1 appears in the SQL command text field. If more information is needed please let me know.

Thanks, Jeff