Okay so you have forgotten your mysql root password and need to access you mysql server. This howto requires root access to the shell or via sudo:

First stop your mysql server via the init script:

/etc/init.d/mysql stop

Now lets start up the mysql daemon and skip the grant tables which store the passwords:

mysqld_safe --skip-grant-tables

You should be able to see mysql starting. Logon to mysql with the fowling command:

mysql --user=root mysql

Now change the password with:

update user set Password=PASSWORD('new-password') where user='root';
flush privileges;
exit;

Now kill your running mysqld, then restart it normally. You should be good to go. Try not to forget your password again.