Can't get Heidsql to connect to mysql on ubuntu

You need to edit the config file and replace the string "IP ADDRESS" with the actual IP address of your MySQL server.

Which config file are you talking about? Remember I'm new to Linux.

Sorry, I didn't realize you were using the Windows GUI for Heidisql.

In the Heidi Session manager screen, what does it say in the box "Hostname/IP"?

I'm using the IP address of the linux server

Are you running a firewall on the Ubuntu box?

Please run on the Linux machine:

  /sbin/iptables -nL

http://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.6/en/can-not-connect-to-server.html

"The error (2003) Can't connect to MySQL server on 'server' (10061) indicates that the network connection has been refused. You should check that there is a MySQL server running, that it has network connections enabled, and that the network port you specified is the one configured on the server."

This definitely looks like a firewall related issue to me.

This is what I get from the command above:
Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT)
target     prot opt source               destination

Okay, so looks like no firewall.

From the Windows machine, please open cmd.exe (a DOS terminal window) and type the following:

c:\> telnet 1.2.3.4 3306

(substitute 1.2.3.4 with the IP of your Linux MySQL server)

Connecting To 1.1.1.1 ...Could not open connection to the host, on port 3306
: Connect failed

Okay, so your Linux box may not be listening for remote connections for whatever reason.

Please do from the Ubuntu machine and show me the result:

netstat -na | grep :3306

netstat -na | grep :3306
tcp        0      0 127.0.0.1:3306          0.0.0.0:*               LISTEN

Okay, please open /etc/my.cnf and find the line "bind address" and change it from 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0

Then you will need to restart MySQL (as root):

/etc/init.d/mysql restart

The problem is that by default on Debian/Ubuntu, MySQL by default is only set up for local connections and doesn't listen on any other interface than localhost.

After you restart MySQL, Heidisql will connect fine.

OK:

SQL Error (1130) in statement#0: Host 'my pc ip address' is not allowed to connect to this MySQL server.

Sounds like we have to give my ip permission to connect. I do remember having to do this on my Hostmonster account, but I was able to do that through the cpanel.

I had to add my ip address into the Remote MySql Database, in order to use heidisql with my hostmonster MySQL. What would be the equivalent in this situation?

Yes, you can do that in the mysql.db table through phpmyadmin.

xterm thanks for your help. I will document all of this.