mysql error and phpmyadmin how-to

[Shawn Guillemette]

 get the following error when trying to log in to mysql as root like so .. 

# mysql -u root -p
Enter password:
ERROR 1045: Access denied for user: 'root at localhost' (Using password: YES)

I'm issuing this command as root. 


Also as root I have attempted to change the passwd.. 


# mysqladmin -u root password newpassword
mysqladmin: connect to server at 'localhost' failed


mysql version --> mysql-server-3.23.55 Multithreaded SQL database (server)



Also Looking for a good how-to on phpmyadmin..
    
    I installed from the ports collection (phpMyAdmin-2.3.2) Just not sure what direction to head in now.. 



Thanks for your time.. 

Shawn