Besides not telling what distro you have. (like the LQ FAQ readme instructs)
Do you know how your distro fires up MySQL?
Every distro have their own a particular way.
Can you start up MySQL standalone?
Check out HowToForge on proftpd. Instead of Xampp
http://www.howtoforge.com/setting-up...-natty-narwhal
On youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGdGoVTkkBs
And goodluck on your configs!!! (No hair on left on your head) :]
hths
PS
A guru here may give better advice though.