ERROR 1045 (28000): Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: NO)
 

I have read many threads about this error and none of the solutions have worked for me. I am trying this:
http://anojrs.blogspot.com/2007/11/a...localhost.html

and get this error:
mysqld --skip-grant-tables
080911 13:55:47 [ERROR] Fatal error: Please read "Security" section of the manual to find out how to run mysqld as root!

080911 13:55:47 [ERROR] Aborting

080911 13:55:47 [Note] mysqld: Shutdown complete

# mysql -u root mysql
ERROR 2002 (HY000): Can't connect to local MySQL server through socket '/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock' (2)

I looked into that error: http://www.tech-recipes.com/mysql_tips762.html
but I don't have /etc/my.cnf! I don't have /tmp/mysql.sock or /var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock either. Should I have these files?

Why am I having problems connecting to mysql if it's a fresh install? Thanks.

try mysql -p. Then give the root password. If mysql isn't running, there is no .sock file. It's dynamically created when mysql starts.