Bannerguy wrote:after I have changed the root password.
How and where did you change the root password?
Bannerguy wrote:Upon doing so,
I have received access denied via web browser, that says phpmyadmin tried to connect to mysql server but failed.
Could anyone please help me in troubleshooting launching MySQL?
An error message from Phpmyadmin DOES NOT mean, that MySQL hat not been launched successfully. The Xampp Controlbox should show up whether MySQL has been started or not. After changing the root password in MySQL you also have to adapt the config file config.inc.php from Phpmyadmin and provide the new password, otherwise Phpmyadmin cannot login to MySQL.
Finally, dont fumble and play around with root passwords etc. as long as you have no idea, what you are doing there. There is no need for changing the root password for MySQL in an development environment.