1. Obviously the 'ole check the log file for anything nastycat /var/log/mysqld.log2. Stop the serviceservice mysqld stop3. Check to see if the service stopped, it might be calling the wrong pid.ps aux | grep mysql4. Kill any mysql process that might still be running.kill -9 ??? ???5. (*CAREFUL*) Remove/move/backup any databases from the data directory, only do this step if you need to.rm -Rf /var/lib/mysql/*6. Check your global options configuration file, should be similar to stevanbt's initial post.cat /etc/my.cnf7. Copy over one of the preconfigured 'sample' server-specific options file. Global (/etc/my.cnf) file has priority over server-specific file, but these have more options in them and have been tuned for a certain role.cp /usr/share/doc/mysql-server-?.??.??/my-small.cnf /var/lib/mysql8. Recreate the initial databases, this step is optional as the initscripts will do this anyway.mysql_install_db9. Check and set the runlevels for the service.chkconfig --level 345 mysqld onchkconfig --list mysqld10. Start the service.service mysqld start11. Check the log file (step 1)Thats just a basic step through check, most of you have probably already done this.