Database error help

I tried to do a site backup and somehow took out mysql server completely.

During the backup this was the error,

mysqldump: Couldn't execute 'show fields from `sys_privacy_defaults`': Out of resources when opening file '/tmp/#sql_18e0_0.MYD' (Errcode: 24) (23)

Since then all of the databases are out, no recovery so far. Restarting the MySQL has no change.

HELP!

When trying to stop then start, I see the databases, then gone.. WTF

Sometimes this error below. How can I be out of resources on a 64GB RAM server?

SQL select table_schema,table_name from information_schema.views where table_schema = ? failed : Out of resources when opening file '/tmp/#sql_7697_0.MYI' (Errcode: 24)

Try upping the open_files_limit in my.cnf and make sure /tmp isn't full.

Thank you Nathan.

When you say tmp are there more than one?

I use Xcache as well, not sure if that matters.

I mean the main /tmp directory on the server. But did you try increasing open_files_limit in /etc/my.cnf?

 The main /tmp has eight files in it.. all zero byte files.

The my.cnf file in /etc/mysq/ is empty except for the [client] in the bottom left of the nano editor view.

I'm using Webmin, it's showing NO databases, and of course I have old backups only from another server and they will not work on this setup.. I'm screwed I think.

Try this: Add directly above [client]:

[mysqld]
open_files_limit=50000

And restart MySQL.

[mysqld]
open_files_limit=50000

 Yes, that was it. We think.

I had another person Skype me and they corrected what was needed and it's all back up.

Thanks Nathan, I need to learn more about MySQL!