How to change the root password in Ubuntu?

Question

To start MySQL in safe mode, mysqld_safe command is used which allow it to run in the safe mode and it also doesn’t allow the reading of tables with the database passwords:

[root@ ]# mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables --skip-networking &[1] 13007
[root@ ]# Starting mysqld daemon with databases from /var/lib/mysql
[root@ ]#

After running the MySQL in safe mode the password protection gets removed and to use the password protection mechanism a command is used as follows:

mysql -u root command
[root@bigboy tmp]# mysql -u root

Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 1 to server version: 4.1.16
Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the buffer.
mysql> [ a message is being shown which allow user to take the control of the root]

Now the question is how can I change root password in safe mode?

Answer 1

1) In general Ubuntu has no password for root user.

To manually set a password for the root user, type in the following in the shell:

sudo passwd

After that you are asked to type in the new root password twice. Finally, your root user has its own password.

2) Now if you want to change the password later point of time though there is no need you can do following

sudo -i
passwd

To lock it again

sudo passwd -dl root