The command tool for MySQL is pretty much like a DOS prompt. If you are on Windows, you'll find it under:

Start Menu -> Programs -> MySQL -> MySQL Command Line Client

When it opens, type in the password for user: root (If you didn't create a password for root the default is blank) then hit enter. It will look something like this:

At the prompt type the SQL query:

SET PASSWORD FOR 'some_user'@'some_host' = OLD_PASSWORD('newpwd');

You'll need to do this for any user you have already created. Make the substitutions for some_user, some_host, and newpwd - be sure to type it exactly as you see it including caps and apostrophes.

Type exit or quit to exit the editor.

Now there is another problem...

Warning: mysql_connect(): Access denied for user 'localhost'@'localhost' (using password: YES) in C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\test\phpBB2\db\mysql4.php on line 48

Warning: mysql_error(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\test\phpBB2\db\mysql4.php on line 330

Warning: mysql_errno(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL-Link resource in C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\test\phpBB2\db\mysql4.php on line 331
phpBB: Critical Error

Could not connect to the database

Does anyone know what the problem is?

You need to give your username the appropriate rights to the database you wish to connect to.

It looks like you're using "localhost" as the username?

I believe AXE has it exactly correct. SB, if you haven't already done so, download and install this administration utility. It will make your life easier.

yes, thats correct. Not quite sure what you mean by giving it the correct rights. I was sure it was all ok.

I am new at the Apache, PHP, and MySQL (AMP) scene, so you will have to excuse how stupid i may sound.

btw SB:

Access denied for user 'localhost'@'localhost'

You most likely don't have a user named localhost.

I'm thinking in your config.php you have localhost as your user when it most likely is root

If that's the case, I would recommend creating a new user other than root and giving them access permissions to the database. That Admin utility will help you do that easily.

Using root to access a database via phpBB is a security risk.

Yup, go ahead and setup phpMyAdmin with the "root" account, and .htaccess protect its location so that it's not accesible via the net.

Once you've got phpMyAdmin setup (if you don't already), you can create new databases, new users (with password), and setup the appropriate access rights through that.

Basically, each user you create, you have to tell MySQL exactly which databases it has access to, and what level of access (add data, remove data, read-only access, etc) they're allowed to those databases.

This is basically due to the fact that it's designed for a multi-user environment, and on shared hosting, you don't want somebody else's username accessing your databases and playing with your data.

If your server is disconnected from the net, then you can safely use the "root" login for your scripts, as nobody else will be able to hit your server anyways.

my server will be disconnected from the internet anyway as i hardly use my laptop for internet. Only if i need to download files.

Heh, i am even leaving this post on another laptop i use most of the time despite my personal laptop being inches away 🤣

Thank you for your help. I will download this Administrator file and see what happens. Looks quite simple to use.

Needless to say, i will probably leave some post here in the future with some stupid question again.

As a result of some brilliant help from ATNO and topped with previous help with Axe i have managed to fix this problem by editing the config.php file manually (ATNO was a great help in this).

I cant tell you all how please i am to have got this fixed, i am really grateful for your help.

Look out for some topics in the near future going along the lines of "I have ruined my phpBB forum" 🤣

Thank you!!