root password changed via phpmyadmin, now cannot get in

I changed the password if root through phpmyadmin tool.
I noticed after doing that that the password was encrypted in my wp-config.php. This was not the case before.

Now I cannot log into phpmyadmin any longer with root.
I inquired and followed som instruction on how to change root via command line sql.

Now mySQL windows service will not start and unless through a reboot.
This all started becuase I inavertantly posted my root password in the forum and did not realize it until 20 hours later.

So, I logged into phpmyadmin and changed it with the change password link on the Home screen of phpmyadmin. Now I cannot get in. I have tried everything, even what I thought I could have fat fingered it as.