mysql -u root

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

service mysql stop
service mysql start --skip-grant-tables
mysql

UPDATE mysql.user SET password=PASSWORD('whateverpassword')
WHERE user='root' and host='localhost';

service mysql restart

mysql -uroot -p

/var/log/mysqld.log

/var/log/mysql/mysqld.log

grep 'temporary password' /var/log/mysqld.log

mysql -uroot p