mySQL not working, newbie in need of help

[DeadSeaSquirrels]

I have no idea how to use mySQL on my local machine. I was hoping to install it on my local machine, along with php so that I wouldn't have to upload a test .php file every five seconds. Anyway, I get this error:
ERROR 2003: Can't connect to MySQL server on 'localhost' (10050)

I did a google search on it, and it seems like others have had the same issue, but not much info as to what is going on. How does one use mysql and/or php on a local machine anyway.

I would greatly appreciate assistance on either of those issues. But for now, I would like to know what "ERROR 2003: Can't connect to MySQL server on 'localhost' (10050)" is.

 

[PrincessGuard]

Is the service started? Have you run the winmysqladmin.exe program to check the settings?

 

[DeadSeaSquirrels]

I checked "net start" and it didn't show up so it wasn't running. And I'm not sure how you get it to start running. That was basically what I was trying to do when I got that error.

I typed mysql[.exe], is that not how you start it?

 

[PrincessGuard]

MYSQL.EXE is the client.

I recommend looking through the documentation, particuarly the section on "Starting MySQL on Windows."

http://www.mysql.com/documentation/index.html

 

[WildHorse]

The answer is different depending on what kind of computer environment you have.

I faced a similar problem as you about 2 months ago. The simple solution that worked for me on a Windows 98 computer, was:

a) download & install mysql-4.0.15-win.zip

b) download & install mysqlcc-0.9.3-win32.zip

Whenever you want to use MySQL, first activate MySQL (click on desktop icon, which has the words "My SQL"). That starts the server inside your computer. After it opens, minimize it, then it shrinks down into a little traffic light icon in your system tray.

Next, activate the cool MySQL Control Center (click on its separate desktop icon, a dolphin). With the CC, you use MySQL from within Windows. You don't have to use the DOS command line at all.

When you look at the Control Center, you see a tree display your of databases. Click on any displayed database, then click one of the icons above the list of databases to connect it to the server which resides inside your computer.

To exit, close the Control Center, then right click the traffic light & close it.

If your computer environment isn't Windows, then you can research in some books.

 

[DeadSeaSquirrels]

I don't have a GUI interface though. I don't have icons or anything. I installed mysql-4.0.16 but I have none of that nice GUI stuff. I also don't have the control center.

I am not sure how mysql runs, or interacts with the user, and the online manual isn't great for newbies.

 

[WildHorse]

Well...of COURSE you don't have it, because first you have to DOWNLOAD it and then INSTALL IT.

You didn't say what operating system you're running, so I'll assume you have Windows.
If you want the GUI, then you have to go to MySQL.com and download & install the Comand Center. That IS the GUI. Download mysqlcc-0.9.3-win32.zip and install it. Then you're on your way!

If that doesn't work for you, then it's off to buy yourself a book explaining how to use MySQL in whatever computer environment you have, but that'll cost ya. I bought
MySQL, Second Edition by Paul DuBois, Copyright 2003, Sam's Publishing, ISBN 0-7357-1212-3. It's excellent, & I recommend it, but it cost about $50.

Good luck.