PHP+MySQL installation

Hi
I've made my own Windows 2000 based Apache webserver with PHP/MySQL a couple of times before, and I always seem to end up with the same problem. A few weeks after installation MySQL just locks me out. It's as if the password to root is changed. I just can't login.
When this happens I uninstall it and reinstall everything, but the fresh install would continue to act like I'm giving it the wrong password.
Before it goes bad everything works fine. MyPHPAdmin runs like a dream. My PHP and SQL stuff works just as the tutorials say they should.
I'm never doing anything that I'd consider advanced.

Recently I re-built my PC and wiped everything, so if I set it up it should work. The problem is I know that in a few weeks it'll start playing up like usual and I wont be able to fix it.
So I really don't want to install everything until I'm sure it's not going to happen again.

So does anyone know any reason why it would act like this? It's happened on multiple computers and internet connections, so I'm guessing it a stupid mistake on my part. Like MySQL will lock the root account if you don't change the password to something more secure than the default if you leave it too long.

I'm really sorry I can't offer anymore information, but if you can think of any information that might help I'll try and get it for you.

Try to download Easy PHP and moodle, it has PHP PHPMYSQLAdmin and Apache web server. Very easy to install and works well.

OK - first what version of MySQL are we talking about here? 5 requires you to give a password for root when you install it. 4 or 4.1 you can add a password for root. Look in the MySQL manual for GRANT syntax and read up on it.

Also your scripts should NEVER be using the root account for access. Always create a user(s) that have the perms the script needs and no more. ( I have been known to make 2 users for a script - 1 that can only select and another that inserts and updates.) This is basic Database security. Maybe you aren't locking the MySQL - but someone else is.

Here is also a link to a basic MySQL administration tutorial - http://phpcommunity.org/gazette/2005/nov/mysqladmin.html
If nothing else it will help you see what is going on with your setup.