Background:
I did some major messing around with my MySQL installation in the process of upgrading from the 3.23 server to the 4.0 server. I didn't quite know what I was doing and as a result when it didn't work I tried all sorts of commands like mysql_fix_privilege_tables and stuff like that. I don't remember exactly what I did, but eventually I re-installed the MySQL client program from the disk.

Current problem:
The MySQL server is working fine now, but the root@localhost or even the root@% account has somehow lost it's superuser status. This may have been because of my trying to fix the server earlier, I don't know. But now when I want to add a new user or database I get the message that I do not have sufficient permission to do so. I have checked all of my usernames on MySQL and none of them are allowed to create new users or change user permissions. I am essentially stuck with the current setup because none of the accounts has permission to modify the user settings.

I have tried using MySQLcc (which was the original cause for the upgrade since it would cause MySQL to crash every time it tried to connect) and the local command line with the grant option e.g.
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON bulletinboard.* TO user@"%" IDENTIFIED BY 'imnotthatdumb' WITH GRANT OPTION;
or even
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO root@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'noiwonttellyoumypassword' WITH GRANT OPTION;

It says
Error 1045: Access Denied for user root@localhost
every time I do this. I have tried using the mysql_setpermission app and it says Access Denied also.
I have done all of these things signed in as root and have entered the proper password. None of the accounts, however, can add permissions. Is there some file I need to edit in vim or some binary that will restore the superuser status for the root MySQL account?

HELP!!

I assume you are able to edit tables with your account
Check if you have proper "flags" in mysql database, in 'user' table.
Update you 'Grant_priv' column to 'Y' if needed.
Hope it helps.

Yep. Thanks.

I guess I didn't realize I had the permissions to edit the 'mysql' db.