title: How to properly resolve ERROR 1044 on mySQL? Other answers here don't do the trick
body: <p>I am studying the SQL language and I am trying to use MySQL on Linux Mint to test my work, however I encounter issues like ERROR 1044. I have tried to follow all the various kinds of advice here but I then encounter a different error code and then in an attempt to solve the new issue I see another error code, and in an attempt to solve this other new issue I see another error code, and repeat ad nauseam. So I am starting from scratch in the hopes that my particular problem can be resolved. </p>
  
  <p>I tried this</p>
  
  <pre><code>mysql&gt; USE preciousMetals;
  ERROR 1044 (42000): Access denied for user 'phpmyadmin'@'localhost' to database 'preciousMetals'
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Checked this </p>
  
  <pre><code>mysql&gt; show grants;
  +--------------------------------------------------------------------+
  | Grants for phpmyadmin@localhost                                    |
  +--------------------------------------------------------------------+
  | GRANT USAGE ON *.* TO 'phpmyadmin'@'localhost'                     |
  | GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON `phpmyadmin`.* TO 'phpmyadmin'@'localhost' |
  +--------------------------------------------------------------------+
  2 rows in set (0.00 sec)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I enter this command into the prompt</p>
  
  <pre><code>mysql&gt; select user ();
  +----------------------+
  | user ()              |
  +----------------------+
  | phpmyadmin@localhost |
  +----------------------+
  1 row in set (0.00 sec)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Then this</p>
  
  <pre><code>mysql&gt; select current_user ();
  +----------------------+
  | current_user ()      |
  +----------------------+
  | phpmyadmin@localhost |
  +----------------------+
  1 row in set (0.00 sec)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I want to keep this question neat and "small" for now so it won't be all over the place. I will add that I tried to go in as root as some posts have said but I don't have a password for that. I never set a password for root only for user during installation. I tried the user password and ERROR. Tried to look for it or reset it, and apparently I don't have any privileges or rights or something. I try to fix that and, you know it, another ERROR. >:O</p>
  
  <p>Can someone help on how to solve ERROR 1044? Is there a reason that I encounter so many issues? Is it a buggy RDBMS or is the issue related to my actual computer and the way it handles things? Is there a good solution to get rid of all problems and just use the RDBMS without the <em>Some Assembly Required</em> thing.</p>