Configuring MySql on Ubuntu inside VM

[Pzzldmom]

I am running Ubuntu inside VMware and trying to configure Snort. I have gotten to this portion:

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Scroll down the list to the section with "# output database: log, mysql, user=", remove the "#" from in front of this line.
Leave the "user=root", change the "password=password" to "password=YOUR_PASSWORD", "dbname=snort"
Make note of the username, password, and dbname. You will need this information when we set up the Mysql db.
Save and quit.
11. Setup the Mysql database.

Log into the mysql server.

# mysql -u root -p

Sometimes there is no password set so just hit enter.

If you get a failed logon, try the above command again and enter YOUR_PASSWORD.

If there is no password you need to create a password for the root account.

Note: Once you are in mysql the # is now a mysql>

mysql> SET PASSWORD FOR root@localhost=PASSWORD('YOUR_PASSWORD');

Create the snort database.

mysql> create database snort;
mysql> exit

>

But no matter what I do I cannot log into mysql. I have tried logging into root when I first log on (so far I am unable to do so, even with changing the passwords in preferences.) I have tried to log in from terminal either under a user name and root.
There are no errors in /var/log/mysql.log

Is there another work around for this? I have heard that there is a package in the synaptic snap ins that would allow Ubuntu to read Debian programs that makes mysql easier to install...is that a better way to go?

Thanks for any help.