cpv1st

i am trying to install post nuke and the only problem i am havning is the set up of the databae...no in the pat localhost has worked ...but it is not working for post nuke...is there another name or ip address that i could use instead of localhost ....i know plenty about servers and what not so please do not answer the obvious...ex...mysite_databasename ....databasename_username...etc...thanks in advance...