Issues / Errors setting up MySQL install for Windows and centralized XBMC SQL Dbase

Have a Revo and iPad, would like to get shared/central SQL dbase up.
Having issues w/ MySql install on windows where media storage also resides.

When I follow the link/tutorial from contentwhores.com or lifehacker.com
http://www.contentwhores.com/wordpress/?page_id=432
http://lifehacker.com/5634515/how-to-syn...eedfetcher

They gloss over the SQL install which is where my issue is.
During default install, the checkbox is checked to change the root pwrd of dbase. If i try to change / put a pwrd it fails, if blank it fails. If i uncheck the box the install completes.
I can then connect to the dbase as a blank username, but any user such as 'root' fails.
The blank user has no rights so i cant create an 'xbmc' user or anything.
Uncertain issues, i purged the \mysql folder during the uninstall/reinstall attempts.

I did have xampp installed a long time in efforts to get one of the crude early iphone 'remotes' working but it was flaky and i gave up and uninstalled it.

I'm obviously unfamiliar w/ SQL and such appreciate the patience and any insights.

but can not get xmbc clients to connect, dbase from workbench looks good.
this is in the log
23:03:20 T:3055253376 M:1428152320 ERROR: Unable to open database: xbmc_music [1042](Can't get hostname for your address)

Try using the IP address instead.

I was using IPs.
I found some DNS configuration in SQL even though using IPs. weird. looks like i'm up now.