Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2) Error

I am trying to install Drupal 6.1.3 on a G4 Mac Cube, OS 10.4.11. I successfully installed MAMP and have taken care of the read/write permissions issues and the settings.php issue. I also have created a Drupal database using PHPMyAdmin.
When I run the Drupal installer, it halts during the database configuration step with following message:
"Failed to connect to your MySQL database server. MySQL reports the following message: Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/tmp/mysql.sock' (2)." I have spent nearly three days researching Drupal forums, documentation, the Web and elsewhere for a solution to this problem but nothing - even interventions using Terminal - work.
Could someone who has successfully passed this roadblock please post a clear, step-by-step explanation (especially if it involves command line modifications) of how to solve this problem? I will be eternally grateful.