I've been trying for a week now to fix this, finally gave up on it:

$sql = mysql_query("SELECT pass FROM users WHERE name = '$user'");
echo $sql . "<br>";

when ran, $sql = Resource ID #2 instead of the actual value, I couldn't
get any help from #php on irc.gamesnet.net

The bug system is not the appropriate forum for asking support
questions. For a list of a range of more appropriate places to ask
for help using PHP, please visit http://www.php.net/support.php

I give some help anyway. 

Vipervirus, mysql_query returns the connection id. You must use mysql_fetch_array() to get the values. Please have a look at the example provided in the manual:

  http://www.php.net/manual/en/ref.mysql.php

or

  http://www.php.net/manual/en/function.mysql-fetch-array.php

which has some shorter examples. good luck.

Next time please consult the "PHP General" mailinglist:

  http://www.php.net/support.php

I didn't post here intending to ask for help, I was posting a bug because 

$sql = mysql_query("SELECT * FROM users"); works just fine

but $sql = mysql_eury("SELECT * FROM users WHERE name = '$user'"); doesn't work

I've tried this on completely diff servers and got the same result

maybe because it's spelled mysql_QUERY and not mysql_EURY.

I asked you kindly no to use the bug reporting form for support questions and instead move to the mailing lists. Here's the link again:

  http://www.php.net/support.php

-daniel