Error connecting to DB in CF11, please help?

I'm getting the following error message in CF11 when  trying to access my MYSQL database on a local machine:

Could not create connection to database server. Attempted reconnect 3 times. Giving up.

I created the DB in the admin page. I also verified the DB. I can open the database in the command prompt. The only thing I can't do is connect it in CF11. Everything tells me the DB is connected and working fine, just not when I view the data in the web page. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

EDIT: forgot to mention the rest of the error message, I hope it helps:

The error occurred in D:/inetpub/wwwroot/Applewood Community_03/textareaTest.cfm: line 9
   Called from using password: line -1
  Called from using password: line -1