Access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: YES)

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop
~$ sudo mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables &
~$ mysql -u root
Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.

Your MySQL connection id is 1 to server version: 4.1.15-Debian_1-log

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.

mysql>

mysql> use mysql;

mysql> update user set password=PASSWORD("root") where User='root';

mysql> flush privileges;

mysql> quit

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql stop

Stopping MySQL database server: mysqld

STOPPING server from pid file /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid

mysqld_safe[6186]: ended

[1]+  Done                    mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables

~$ sudo /etc/init.d/mysql start

~$ mysql -u root -p

* MySQL Community Server 5.6.35 is started
~$ mysql -u root -p
Enter password: 
Welcome to the MySQL monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 1
Server version: 5.6.35 MySQL Community Server (GPL)

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Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation and/or its
affiliates. Other names may be trademarks of their respective
owners.

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.

mysql>