Can't access MySQL server, don't know the password of a root account

Question

For some reason beyond me I can't access the mysql server on a machine. I'm looking at an untouched MT (dv) server with CentOS 5. Any ideas on how to get the root going?

Answer 1

Start (first stop the running one) your MySQL in safemode with skiped grant tables eg.:

safe_mysqld --user=mysql --skip-grant-tables --skip-networking

Thereafter you should have access to your database without password and could create a new user/password.