Error#2002

[gadabout]

HI
I am new with XAMPP. I have downloaded the program, can start Apache and MySQL when i check the status it says all are activated. HOWEVER when i go to click on phpMyAdmin an error comes up Error MySQL said: #2002 - The server is not responding (or the local MySQL server's socket is not correctly configured)
This is all so new i have no idea of what to do. I have an assignment due in a week and need this working. COULD SOME PLEASE GUIDE ME THROUGH THIS PROBLEM URGENTLY!!