error trying to connect to mysql

[Jshortest]

I just got started learning mysql and I'm already stuck with an error I get when I try to connect to run a query with php.

The error is
Warning: mysql_connect(): Access denied for user: 'helmet_admin@localhost' (Using password: YES) in /home/helmet/public_html/test.php on line 3
I cannot connect to the database because: Access denied for user: 'helmet_admin@localhost' (Using password: YES)

<?php 
 $dbh=mysql_connect ("localhost", "helmet_admin", "<PASSWORD HERE>") or die ('I cannot connect to the database because: ' . mysql_error());
mysql_select_db ("helmet_learndb");
?>

[jg_v7n]

Well, access is denied for user "helmet_admin" at host "localhost".

Either:
1) The user doesn't exist
2) The password is incorrect
3) You have no permissions

[FGTH]

Try using the code below.

// Set the database access information as constants
define ('DB_USER', 'helmet_admin');
define ('DB_PASSWORD', 'YOUR_PW');
define ('DB_HOST', 'localhost');
define ('DB_NAME', 'helmet_learndb');

// Make the connection and then select the database.
$dbc = @mysql_connect (DB_HOST, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD) OR die ('Could not connect to MySQL: ' . mysql_error() );
@mysql_select_db (DB_NAME) OR die ('Could not select the database: ' . mysql_error() );

If using phpMyAdmin:
1) login with your db admin account
2) click on "Privileges"
3) make sure "helmet_admin" exists
4) Global privileges set to "ALL PRIVILEGES"
5) Grant set to "Yes"

If you've got root access, you should be able to connect to the Db using root and the root password.

I prefer using mySQLCC (mySQL Control Center) since it can be used independent of a browser.

Hope that helps...