[root@localhost root]# mysql -u root

ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2)

[root@localhost root]# mysqld

041105 6:39:52 [ERROR] Can't find messagefile '/usr/share/mysql/english/errmsg.sys'

041105 6:39:52 [ERROR] Aborting

[root@localhost tmp]# ls

file-roller.16014.0 gnome-print-VVJ49S tmpN4Z2tz.hdr xses-root.llXqrK

gconfd-root gnome-print-X5Npb6 tmpoyNLrp.hdr xses-root.NwVLGc

gnome-print-1WPfCW gnome-print-Z4o5ar tmpPx7WSx.hdr xses-root.qjXw7A

gnome-print-6TZjMy keyring-Bidkw4 xses-root.1bxBih xses-root.rn1M36

gnome-print-amU2pG keyring-pOp3uC xses-root.5Z5eBi xses-root.S4JVZG

gnome-print-CvKD8Y mapping-root xses-root.7yN0wr xses-root.sgWeNa

gnome-print-Dp23oe orbit-root xses-root.95CjPP xses-root.sVzIG9

gnome-print-ehwmXv ssh-AAJo2622 xses-root.BddzM9 xses-root.uDLzjL

gnome-print-Fzp4Lk tmp2gEGIV.hdr xses-root.EeK3tb xses-root.wcBjS7

gnome-print-LbFp4R tmpb7pJoi.hdr xses-root.eq2Srb xses-root.xGMbkP

gnome-print-qbXcza tmpEezmCw.hdr xses-root.FTN0Rf

gnome-print-SYNEhn tmpKvRt25.hdr xses-root.LckB4m

find / -name errmsg.sys

 

sounds like your install is missing files