can't open mysql

I've had this server running for years but suddenly i get the error

'/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)

when I try to run my website which accesses the mysql server.

If I log into the server and try to log in to msqyl, I get a similar error.


web:~# mysql -u root
ERROR 2002: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)
web:~#


I tried to locate a socket that was open, but the mysql did not appear to be open:
/var/spool/postfix/private/rewrite
/var/spool/postfix/private/bounce
/var/spool/postfix/private/defer
/var/spool/postfix/private/trace
/var/spool/postfix/private/verify
/var/spool/postfix/private/proxymap
/var/spool/postfix/private/smtp
/var/spool/postfix/private/relay
/var/spool/postfix/private/error
/var/spool/postfix/private/local
/var/spool/postfix/private/virtual
/var/spool/postfix/private/lmtp
/var/spool/postfix/private/anvil
/var/spool/postfix/private/maildrop
/var/spool/postfix/private/uucp
/var/spool/postfix/private/ifmail
/var/spool/postfix/private/bsmtp
/var/spool/postfix/private/scalemail-backend
/var/spool/postfix/public/cleanup
/var/spool/postfix/public/flush
/var/spool/postfix/public/showq
/dev/log
/dev/printer


THEN i tried to see if mysql was running and to start it:
web:~# ps aux | grep mysqlps aux | grep mysql
grep: aux: No such file or directory
web:~# /etc/init.d/mysql start
Starting MySQL database server: mysqld...failed.
        Please take a look at the syslog.
/usr/bin/mysqladmin: connect to server at 'localhost' failed
error: 'Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)'
Check that mysqld is running and that the socket: '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' exists!


I have no idea where to go now ...

thanks in advance.
kennethmurrahAsked:
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Dan CraciunIT ConsultantCommented: 
rm /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
/etc/init.d/mysql start

Open in new window


Explanation: when Mysql crashes, it does not delete the mysqld.sock file. Then, when you try to start it, it sees that the file exists and assumes there is another instance opened.
Just remove myqld.sock and you'll be able to start the daemon.

HTH,
Dan
kennethmurrahAuthor Commented:
Dan,

I tried that, but it resulted in the following error message:

web:/etc/mysql# rm /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
rm: cannot remove `/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock': No such file or directory
Dan CraciunIT ConsultantCommented:
OK.
What's happens if you run
/etc/init.d/mysqld_safe
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Manfred BertlManagerCommented:
Maybe your MySQL-Server creates the socket file somewhere different? (like /tmp)
kennethmurrahAuthor Commented:
No, that's the right place for it. I confirmed that in my.cnf
Dan CraciunIT ConsultantCommented:
Have you tried mysqld_safe? If it's not in /etc/init.d then find it's location with
which mysqld_safe
kennethmurrahAuthor Commented:
I found the problem. There was an incorrect bind_address in my.conf.

Thanks to all

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