title: Mysql: unknown variable, can't run any mysql applications, doesn't seem to be to do with my.cnf
body: <p>My problem is that, when trying to run MYSQL on Fedora, I am faced with the following error:</p>
  
  <p>mysql: unknown variable 'max_connections=40'</p>
  
  <p>It does the exact same thing for any other of the commands, such as mysqldump, mysqlcheck etc etc</p>
  
  <p>The my.cnf file reads the following, though I've renamed it and the error still occurs. It almost seems like it's a system variable that I am unable to edit without running mysql, thus the catch 22!</p>
  
  <pre><code>[mysqld]
  datadir=/var/lib/mysql
  socket=/var/lib/mysql/mysql.sock
  user=mysql
  # Disabling symbolic-links is recommended to prevent assorted security risks
  symbolic-links=0
  
  [mysqld_safe]
  log-error=/var/log/mysqld.log
  pid-file=/var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I've also of course checked the system for any other my.cnf files.</p>
  
  <p>I'm really lost and starting to tear my hair out. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)</p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>
  
  <p>Matt</p>