Root password problems with xampp

[corbet]

I've installed xampp for the first time, but can't access mysql to create a new database.

I verified that Apache is running properly, and I can access the default localhost web pages using my browser. Clicking Status shows me that all the main components are activated (i.e., Apache, PHP, MySQL).

When I try to access phpMyAdmin though, or directly access mysqladmin, I cannot connect. When I try via phpMyAdmin, this is what I get:

"phpMyAdmin tried to connect to the MySQL server, and the server rejected the connection. You should check the host, username and password in config.inc.php and make sure that they correspond to the information given by the administrator of the MySQL server."

And when I try via mysqladmin, this is what I get:

C:\xampp\mysql\bin>mysqladmin u root
C:\XAMPP\MYSQL\BIN\MYSQLA~1.EXE: connect to server at 'localhost' failed
error: 'Access denied for user 'ODBC'@'localhost' (using password: NO)'

I've tried resetting the root password using several methods, but none of them work. Please help!

[Wiedmann]

Make a new installation. MySQL / phpMyAdmin must work out of the box.

[corbet]

[quote="Wiedmann"]Make a new installation. MySQL / phpMyAdmin must work out of the box.[/quote]

Thank you for your reply. I've reinstalled twice now, but with the same problem.