title: mysql folder inaccessible on Ubuntu
body: <p>I am trying to reset my MySQL root password following <a href="https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.0/en/resetting-permissions.html" rel="nofollow">the official reference here</a>.</p>
  
  <p>In step #2, I have to do the following</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Locate the .pid file that contains the server's process ID. The exact
    location and name of this file depend on your distribution, host name,
    and configuration. Common locations are /var/lib/mysql/,
    /var/run/mysqld/, and /usr/local/mysql/data/. Generally, the file name
    has an extension of .pid and begins with either mysqld or your
    system's host name.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>So I go to /var/lib/ and find the mysql folder. I double-clicked it, I got the following pop-up window:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <h1>The folder contents could not be displayed.</h1>
    
    <p>You do not have the permissions necessary to view the contents of "mysql".</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I am pretty sure that I am indeed the system admin. Why is it like so and how to fix it?</p>