I found a solution to anyone else who may be having this problem.
First start mysql using skip grant tables
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql start --skip-grant-tables
Starting MySQL [ OK ]
now with mysql started, you can repair the mysql/user table
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# mysqlcheck -r mysql user
mysql.user
warning : Number of rows changed from 1558 to 1556
status : OK
now that its repaired, restart mysql
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql stop
Shutting down MySQLs [ OK ]
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql start
Starting MySQL [ OK ]
can someone confirm that this solution is ok?
First start mysql using skip grant tables
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql start --skip-grant-tables
Starting MySQL [ OK ]
now with mysql started, you can repair the mysql/user table
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# mysqlcheck -r mysql user
mysql.user
warning : Number of rows changed from 1558 to 1556
status : OK
now that its repaired, restart mysql
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql stop
Shutting down MySQLs [ OK ]
root@ns1 [/var/lib/mysql/mysql]# service mysql start
Starting MySQL [ OK ]
can someone confirm that this solution is ok?