How do I get MySQL to work so my testing site can be set up?

Hey there,

I followed your tutorial for installed XAMPP to the letter. I also followed the instructions at this URL to modify the ports since I was getting ports in use errors:

http://www.zeeronsolutions.com/fix-xampp-apache-not-starting-because-port-80-in-use-issue/

I changed Apache's ports to 1234 & 1443 and MySQLs port to 3307
I'm accessing localhost via this URL: http://localhost:1234

But I still can't get MySQL to work.

1. In the XAMPP Control Panel, Service for MySQL is checked green and I can click Start and it goes to "Status change detected: running..." I thought this meant all was good BUT

2. I go to this URL: http://localhost:1234/xampp/index.php and I get erros trying to acces security and phpMyAdmin

I get this error with phpMyAdmin:

Error
MySQL said:
#2002 - No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it.
The server is not responding (or the local server's socket is not correctly configured).

I get this error with security:

MYSQL SECTION: "ROOT" PASSWORD
MySQL SuperUser:
root
The MySQL server is not running or is blocked by a firewall! Please check this problem first ...

So the control panel shows green and running but the localhost interface is throwing errors. I've checked my Windows Firewall and the Apache and MySQL apps are allowed.

I've searched for hours and read dozens of websites for a solution and nothing is working. I have no idea what to do. Please help!