For some reason there is a read/write permission conflict for /var/lib/mysql in a new slackware 12.2 install, which causes a “mysql has ended” error, you can remedy the error by chowning the directory. Usually to create the directory you need to run the command
mysql_install_db
then chown it with the command:
chown -R mysql:mysql /var/lib/mysql
then restart the server with the command
mysqld_safe &
that should fix your problems, follow the rest of the instructions that appeared on your screen when you typed ‘mysql_install_db’ such as changing password etc, and you will be golden.