Checking MySql

ok my first attempt at starting mysql /etc/init.d/mysql start:

ERROR 2002: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)

ok check the conf file.
----------------------------- here is the conf file -------------------------
# /etc/mysql/my.cnf: The global mysql configuration file.
# $Header: /var/cvsroot/gentoo-x86/dev-db/mysql/files/my.cnf-4.0.14-r1,v 1.2 2004/07/18 02:47:43 dragonheart Exp $
#
# This file can be simultaneously placed in three places:
# 1. /etc/mysql/my.cnf to set global options.
# 2. /var/lib/mysql/my.cnf to set server-specific options.
# 3. ~/.my.cnf to set user-specific options.
#
# One can use all long options that the program supports.
# Run the program with --help to get a list of them.
#
# The following values assume you have at least 32M RAM!

[client]
#password = my_password
port = 3306
socket = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock

[safe_mysqld]
err-log = /var/log/mysql/mysql.err

[mysqld]
skip-innodb
user = mysql
pid-file = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
socket = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
log-error = /var/log/mysql/mysqld.err
# If set, mysql logs all queries(general query log). This will be deprecated in
# 5.0. This logs all queries, even error queries and is slow.
# log = /var/log/mysql/mysql.log
#
# If you really need logging, use rather binary logging. Especially when doing
# replication. Read
# file:/usr/share/doc/mysql-*/manual.html.gz#Replication
# You can use PURGE MASTER LOGS TO '$hostname-bin.010' to get rid of old logs
# from $hostname-bin.01 up to $hostname-bin.09 while the slave server is
# running.
# Before doing that, check which logfile slave curently uses by running
# mysql> SHOW SLAVE STATUS
# To list logfiles on master do:
# mysql> SHOW MASTER LOGS
# Then use PURGE for those not needed anymore only! Never remove the files
# manually!
#
# Also consult RESET MASTER and RESET SLAVE commands before doing any changes
# mysql> RESET MASTER - Deletes all binary logs listed in the index
# file, resetting the binlog index file to be empty.
# mysql> RESET SLAVE - Makes the slave forget its replication position in
# the master logs.
# mysql> SET SQL_LOG_BIN=0 - this turns off logging (execute on MASTER only)
# mysql> SET SQL_LOG_BIN=1 - this turns on logging (execute on MASTER only)
#
# log-bin
# set-variable = binlog-do-db=non_existant
# set-variable = binlog-ignore-db=database_name
#
# server-id has to unique for each master or slave in your network,
# lets use last number from IP address
# server-id = 207
basedir = /usr
datadir = /var/lib/mysql
tmpdir = /tmp
language = /usr/share/mysql/english
skip-locking
set-variable = key_buffer=16M
set-variable = max_allowed_packet=1M
set-variable = thread_stack=128K
# keep secure by default!
bind-address = 127.0.0.1
port = 3306
# this can make it even more secure:
#skip-networking

[mysqldump]
quick
set-variable = max_allowed_packet=1M

[mysql]
#no-auto-rehash # faster start of mysql but no tab completition

[isamchk]
set-variable = key_buffer=16M
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i chanched the entry for the pasword
and re-ran the start script
/etc/init.d/mysql start
no more error but new message to run the script /usr/bin/mysql_install_db
i ran the script and here is the following.
Preparing db table
Preparing host table
Preparing user table
Preparing func table
Preparing tables_priv table
Preparing columns_priv table
Installing all prepared tables

To start mysqld at boot time you have to copy support-files/mysql.server
to the right place for your system

PLEASE REMEMBER TO SET A PASSWORD FOR THE MySQL root USER !
To do so, issue the following commands to start the server
and change the applicable passwords:
/etc/init.d/mysql start
/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root -h gentoo password 'new-password'
/usr/bin/mysqladmin -u root password 'new-password'
Depending on your configuration, a -p option may be needed
in the last command. See the manual for more details.

You can start the MySQL daemon with:
cd /usr ; /usr/bin/mysqld_safe &

You can test the MySQL daemon with the benchmarks in the 'sql-bench' directory:
cd sql-bench ; perl run-all-tests

Please report any problems with the /usr/bin/mysqlbug script!

The latest information about MySQL is available on the web at
http://www.mysql.com
Support MySQL by buying support/licenses at https://order.mysql.com

so here is the up-shot.
$> emerge mysql
$> edit the /etc/mysql/mycnf file
$> /usr/bin/mysql_install_db
edit /etc/my.cnf
change the passworld entry
/etc/init.d/mysql start
run /usr/bin/mysql_install_db

add the mysql to the default startup.