MySQL connection lost on local PC install (Error #2003)

“Error MySQL said: #2003 – Can’t connect to MySQL server on ‘localhost’ (10061)
Connection for controluser as defined in your configuration failed.”

I’m looking to run WP local on desktop machine…

1. Download/unzip/install Xamp – SUCCESSFUL
> No problems

2. MODIFY CONFIG FILE – POSSIBLY SUCCESSFUL
Modified c:\xampplite\htdocs\wordpress\wp-config.php several ways:
> leaving all at “default” values
>> define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘wordpress’);
>> also tried with … define(‘DB_NAME’, ‘Iputmydomainhere’);

>> define(‘DB_USER’, ‘root’);

>> define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ”);
>> also tried with define(‘DB_PASSWORD’, ‘mypasswordhere’);

>> define(‘DB_HOST’, ”);
>> also tried with define(‘DB_HOST’, ‘127.0.0.1’);

3. START Apache – SUCCESSFUL
Successfully getting “Running” when click START button for Apache

4. Status on XAMPP for Windows – FAILS
MySQL dtabase – Deactivated*** ???
PHP activated
HTTPS activated
CGI activated
SSI activated

5. phpMyAdmin – FAILS
“Error MySQL said: #2003 – Can’t connect to MySQL server on ‘localhost’ (10061)
Connection for controluser as defined in your configuration failed.”

6. START MySQL — FAILS
In XAMPP when click START button for MySQL it displays “Running” for 7 seconds then not running (“Running” disappears). Window below shows “MySQL started” then “Busy…”

7. phpMyAdmin – FAILS
When open browser to :http://localhost/phpmyadmin/

NOTES:
I’m guessing I either don’t have MySQL installed, installed correctly, or can’t get to it correctly, or other. Running XP SP3. Downloaded WP 2.8.4 – not upgrading just yet.

I do not see IIS in Administrative Services — but I understood from the notes that IIS should be disabled anyway.

Also I do not see a MySQL service… if there’s supposed to be one?

Thanks – any help appreciated

LINKS I’VE CHECKED AGAINST:

http://wordpress.org/support/topic/335778?replies=5
http://wordpress.org/support/topic/246026?replies=25
http://wordpress.org/support/topic/338580?replies=6

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/building-your-own-local-wordpress-blog/
http://weblogtoolscollection.com/archives/category/how-to/
http://codex.wordpress.org/Resetting_Your_Password#Through_phpMyAdmin
http://www.puremango.co.uk/2009/01/wamp_97/