Basic/ MySQL settings page leads back to FTP setup page

[pelican]

Hello.  I get through the FTP setup page, but then after I enter the info on the "basic settings"/"mySQL server" page and enter, it takes me back to the FTP page without any error indication.  Does this indicate something wrong with the settings I'm entering? Or ...?

thanks
Kurt

[JayBachatero]

Did you chmod the files it asked for to 777?

How do I use chmod?

[Oldiesmann]

It shouldn't let you get past the FTP page if something isn't chmodded properly. Make sure that your forum's directory and Settings.php are chmodded to at least 666 (preferably 777 for the directory)

[pelican]

new problem...

But first, thanks.  It appears there was a chmod problem in that after doing all the chmods manually the server settings page now doesn't lead back to the FTP page but rather gives me a sensible error message : "Access denied for user: 'root@localhost' (Using password: YES)"

And thre's my new problem. I got the information included below from my host, and I've tried entering it in all the obvious ways but with no success. I'd appreciate it if someone could give me a clue and tell me what to plug in where or what further info I need. (I wish I had time to really learn about mysql and using the shell, but I don't right now, so I'm hoping for a quick fix.)

Info From Host:
A mysqld server is created and running in your account.
You have full administrative access to this mysql server.
Including mysqladmin, myisamchk and other commands.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mysql user: root
Mysql/mysqladmin password: 12345678
Hostname: localhost
Local socket path: /tmp/aardvark.mysql.sock
Dedicated mysql server port: 12185
Server base directory: /home/aardvark/mysql
Server data directory: /home/aardvark/mysql/data
mysql error log: /home/aardvark/mysql/err.log

Fields on the MySQL Server Settings page:
MySQL Server name:       localhost
MySQl username:            root aardvark
MySQL password:           12345678
MySQL database name:    smf
MySQL table prefix:         smf_

Thanks in advance,
pelican