Install - Database Setup

[Rubby]

So here's the problem:
On my home machine I've got Apache 2.2.4, PHP 5.2.4, and MySQL 5.0.37. They all work together nicely. I want to install Zen Cart locally (I need a copy I can mess around with so I don't end up wrecking the company install trying to modify it in the way that's needed). So I created a new database called zencart and a new user with full access to the zencart database.
In the Zen Cart installer, at the system inspection part I get a nice big check for MySQL support. When I get to the database setup I use localhost and the username and password I created and zencart for the database name (it exists I checked).
I hit next and I get the warning: "Connection to Database failed
Can't connect to MySQL server on 'localhost' (10061)"
When I click more info it says:
"A connection to the database could not be made. This can happen for a number of reasons.

You may have given the wrong DB host name, or the user name or password may be incorrect.

You may also have given the wrong database name (Does it exist? Did you create it? -- NOTE: Zen Cart™ does not create a database for you.).

Please review all of the entries and ensure that they are correct."

I also tried to set it up as root but I got the same message. Anyone have any indication what might be going on? I'm at a loss here. help?

[kobra]

What local install are you using?? WAMP Easyphp or??
You are not running this via IIS are you?

[Rubby]

WAMP I suppose. I mean, I didn't download a bundle or anything.

[kobra]

WAMP I suppose. I mean, I didn't download a bundle or anything.

????was this not a complete WAMP distribution or what you call a bundle like that available at http://www.wampserver.com/en/

[Rubby]

It wasn't a WAMP distro at all. I downloaded and installed Apache, PHP and MySQL individually from their respective vendors. I've had the set up running for some time for testing purposes for other sites, now it wont work for zen cart.

[kobra]

I've had the set up running for some time for testing purposes for other sites, now it wont work for zen cart.

This has got to be your config for this as I suspect that it is not specifically A,M,P and not Zen Cart as it can only look for the DB where you state.

With out digging into this at the configuration level I am also at a loss

[DrByte]

Can't connect to MySQL server on 'localhost' (10061)"

This is the error message coming directly from PHP/MySQL when attempting to connect to the database. It suggests that the database wouldn't respond to the connection request.
Possible causes of not responding:
- MySQL isn't running
- MySQL Connector for PHP isn't installed or is misconfigured
- port 3306 is blocked
- MySQL was configured for other than the default port #3306
- firewall service blocking communication: http://forums.mysql.com/read.php?11,...2171#msg-22171
- invalid server address supplied

[Rubby]

Thanks for the help.
I still don't have it running though. I know it's not my firewall though because after a while I just turned it off altogether and I'm still getting the same message. I know that MySQL is running because I can see it in the process list. Also, I wrote a generic PHP script which queried the DB and printed the result and that worked fine as well. Plus the is just a test server on my home machine, so the address is definitely localhost (though I also tried 127.0.0.1).
This is totally baffling me.

[DrByte]

I wrote a generic PHP script which queried the DB and printed the result and that worked fine

Can you paste that script here?