Very basic install problem - looking for a FAQ

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Is there a FAQ for install problems?  I'm having a problem which I'm sure has been encountered many times before.

After installing the sample database successfully (checked the tables, they're all there), I point my browser at the /catalog directory and get redirected to the /catalog/install every time.

Pointing the browser at the /catalog/admin directory gives me this error:

[quote]
Warning: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) in [i] *** hostname deleted *** [/i] /catalog/admin/includes/functions/database.php on line 19

Warning: MySQL Connection Failed: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2) in [i] *** hostname deleted *** [/i] /catalog/admin/includes/functions/database.php on line 19
Unable to connect to database server!
[/quote]

The installation README said I should edit the catalog/includes/configure.php file.  Well, that file does not appear to have been changed at all by the installation procedure.  Most of the values are blank or default values.

Again, I'd be happy to do my own research in a FAQ.