In this article, we will provide a detailed guide on how to remove MariaDB for root password reset. This process can be necessary if you have forgotten the root password and need to reset it. Before proceeding, please ensure you have a backup of your data as this process will completely remove MariaDB from your system.
To remove MariaDB for root password reset, you need to back up your database, stop the MariaDB service, remove the MariaDB packages, delete the configuration files, update the file database, locate and remove any remaining files, and then reset the root password using the official MariaDB documentation or the mysql_secure_installation command.
Backing up your Database
Before you start the process, it’s crucial to back up your database. You can use the mysqldump command for this. The syntax is as follows:
mysqldump -u {user} -p {database} > /home/$USER/Documents/backup.sqlIn this command, {user} is your MariaDB username, and {database} is the name of the database you want to back up. The > operator redirects the output to a file named backup.sql in your Documents directory.
Stopping the MariaDB Service
The next step is to stop the MariaDB service. This can be done using the following command:
sudo service mysql stopThis command uses sudo to run the operation with root privileges. The service command is used to run a System V init script, in this case, mysql, with the stop option.
Removing MariaDB Packages
Once the service is stopped, you can remove the MariaDB packages that were installed through apt-get using the following command:
sudo apt-get --purge remove "mysql*"The --purge option is used to remove not only the packages but also any configuration files associated with them. The "mysql*" argument targets all packages that start with mysql.
Removing Configuration Files
Next, remove the /etc/mysql/ directory, which contains the configuration files:
sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql/Here, rm is the remove command, -r is the recursive option which tells the command to remove directories and their contents recursively, and -f is the force option which tells the command to ignore nonexistent files and arguments, and never prompt before removing.
Updating the File Database
Now, you need to update the file database using the updatedb command:
sudo updatedbupdatedb creates or updates a database used by locate. The locate command is used in the next step to find any remaining MariaDB files.
Locating and Removing Remaining Files
Use the locate command to check if any files related to MySQL are still present:
locate mysqlIf you find a my.cnf file or any other MySQL-related files, remove them as well.
At this point, MariaDB should be completely removed from your system, and you can proceed with a fresh installation if necessary.
Resetting the Root Password
To reset the root password for MariaDB, refer to the official MariaDB documentation. Alternatively, you can use the mysql_secure_installation command, which is a script that helps secure your MariaDB installation and allows you to set a new root password.
Please note that the steps provided in this article assume that you have installed MariaDB using apt-get. If you have installed it using a different method, such as a source tarball, the steps may vary. Always refer to the official documentation for the most accurate information.
The purpose of removing MariaDB for root password reset is to completely remove the existing MariaDB installation and its associated configuration files, allowing you to perform a fresh installation and set a new root password.
It is important to back up the database before removing MariaDB because the removal process will delete all data stored in the database. By creating a backup, you can ensure that your data is safe and can be restored after the fresh installation.
To back up your MariaDB database, you can use the mysqldump command. The syntax is as follows:
mysqldump -u {user} -p {database} > /home/$USER/Documents/backup.sqlReplace {user} with your MariaDB username and {database} with the name of the database you want to back up. The > operator redirects the output to a file named backup.sql in your Documents directory.
You can stop the MariaDB service by running the following command:
sudo service mysql stopThis command uses sudo to run the operation with root privileges. The service command is used to run a System V init script, in this case, mysql, with the stop option.
To remove the MariaDB packages installed through apt-get, use the following command:
sudo apt-get --purge remove "mysql*"The --purge option ensures that not only the packages but also any associated configuration files are removed. The "mysql*" argument targets all packages starting with mysql.
To remove the MariaDB configuration files, execute the following command:
sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql/This command uses rm to remove the /etc/mysql/ directory. The -r option tells the command to remove directories and their contents recursively, and the -f option ensures that the command ignores nonexistent files and arguments.
To update the file database, use the updatedb command:
sudo updatedbThe updatedb command creates or updates a database used by locate. It is necessary to update the database before using the locate command to find any remaining MariaDB files.
To locate any remaining MariaDB files, use the locate command:
locate mysqlIf you find a my.cnf file or any other MySQL-related files, remove them using the rm command.
To reset the root password for MariaDB, you can refer to the official MariaDB documentation. Alternatively, you can use the mysql_secure_installation command, which is a script that helps secure your MariaDB installation and allows you to set a new root password.
The steps provided in this article assume that you have installed MariaDB using apt-get. If you have installed it using a different method, such as a source tarball, the steps may vary. It is always recommended to refer to the official documentation for the most accurate information regarding your specific installation method.
