Recognizing command line user?

I was not sure what list I should use for this. I am trying to connect to
mysqlimport in java, via a call to the command line...but initially I am
just testing the command on the windows command line. Please let me know if
one of the other lists is more suitable.

After a brand new installation of 5.0.51a on my Windows XP box, I ran the
instance config wizard and gave root a password and allowed tcp/ip. I
installed the current Gui tools onto the same box. I logged into MySql
Administrator GUI no problem. I ran MySql Query Browser, created a database,
mydatabase, set it as my default schema and executed a script file creating
tables in mydatabase.

Additionally to further test the installation I tried:
mysqlshow -u root -password mypassword
gives:
access denied for user 'root'@'localhost' (using password: YES)
but
mysqlshow -u root -p
and entering the password at the prompt works and shows the databases:
information_schema, mydatabase, mysql, test.

I try:
mysqlimport –user root -password mypassword –fields-terminated-by="|"
–lines-terminated-by="|" -local mydatabase "myimportfile.txt"

I get the same:
mysqlimport: error: access denied for user 'ODBC'@'localhost' (using
password: YES)

No matter what parameter combination I try for this, eg. -p and enter the
password as above, I get the same error message. I know ODBC is the default
user name if you do not provide one, is their some issue with root?
Going into MySql Administrator | User Administration | root | Schema
Privileges the Assigned privileges was blank for each table. This seemed
strange for the root, I assigned all privileges for all tables and restarted
the MySQL service but I still get the same message. Next I added a new user
and gave them all privileges but get the same access denied for user
'ODBC'@'localhost'
message. Is there some problem recognising the selected user?

Thanks, Tom.