Mysql error!

[allan oware]

Hi Guys
I installed mysql-server5 using apt-get but havent been able to start
mysql since then;

root at HEAT:/# /etc/init.d/mysql start
 * Starting MySQL database server mysqld                               [fail]
root at HEAT:/# /usr/bin/mysql start
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket
'/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)
root at HEAT:/# /usr/bin/mysql -u root mysql
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket
'/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock' (2)

A snapshot of 'my.cnf' is below

[client]
port            = 3306
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock

[mysqld_safe]
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
nice            = 0

[mysqld]
#
# * Basic Settings
#

user            = mysql
pid-file        = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
port            = 3306
basedir         = /usr
datadir         = /var/lib/mysql
tmpdir          = /tmp
language        = /usr/share/mysql/english

I've searched for 'mysqld.sock' but cant find it.Is any way I can make
mysql start successfully?
FYI ; user 'mysql' exists with neccessary permisssions.