[TYPO3] Can't connect to database

[Nate Russell]

Hello Typo3 Brethren,

I have a website online running 3.8.1. I need to make some big 
changes(new extensions, different design). Since the database is about 
300mb, I decided to dump it and install a mirror on my PowerMac(10.4.7) 
to work on it there.

I used Andreas Beutel's instructions described here for setting up the 
database:
http://typo3.org/documentation/document-library/extension-manuals/doc_inst_macosx/current/view/toc/0/

I got as far as the Install Tool in 1-2-3-Mode. When I go to the install 
page and put in the correct username and password, I get the following 
error:

Warning: mysql_pconnect(): Can't connect to local MySQL server through 
socket '/var/mysql/mysql.sock' (2) in 
/Library/WebServer/Documents/typo3_src-3.8.1/typo3/t3lib/class.t3lib_db.php 
on line 831

Warning: mysql_list_tables(): supplied argument is not a valid 
MySQL-Link resource in 
/Library/WebServer/Documents/typo3_src-3.8.1/typo3/t3lib/class.t3lib_db.php 
on line 892

MySQL is running and the typo3db database and typo3 user I set up does 
exist, but for some reason typo3 can't see it.

Interestingly enough, When I use the MySQL Administrator tool, it shows 
the correct database and user. However, when I enter "show databases;" I 
get the following:
+----------+
| Database |
+----------+
| test     |
+----------+
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

It only shows the database called test.

Could it be that Typo3 is looking in the wrong location for the db?

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Nate