mysql deactivated... socket(13)

[General Nuisance]

OK i installed just as yall described in site and it worked great except for mysql... it says this when i try to run a script that uses mysql..

Warning: mysql_connect(): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/opt/lampp/var/mysql/mysql.sock' (13)

again this was a fresh install of RHL9 and xampp..

please reply ASAP!! im hosting some important sites...