Beginner MySQL question...

Hello, This is a terribly beginner question, but I'm stumped and not sure where to turn. I'm just starting out with PHP and MySQL and am stuck at such a basic task. I'm trying to execute the following code: $query = "use members"; // If this query is succesfull, and returns a 1. this means that the database members can be used. // If it returns 'null' then it doesn't exist. if (mysql_query($query) == null) { .... However, I receive the following error message: Warning : Access denied for user: 'root@localhost' (Using password: NO) in /Users/ryanr/Sites/Accounts/config.php on line 51 Any help would be much appreciated to help make the error go away. :-) Thanks! Ryan -- "Life is not a contest"