Xampp and mysql.exe...keeps shutting down

I have sucessfully installed the xampp suite and have both apache and mysql running as a service on WinXP. I want to practice the SQL I am learning before I try it out on an actual Zencart development database. However, every time I try to open mysql.exe and other utilities from the C:\Program Files\xampp\mysql\bin folder, the program opens and immedialtly closes.

I am trying to:

1. set a "root" password in MySQL
2. setup a dediated command prompt icon link to msql that I can place on my WinXP desktop.

Is there anyone who can help resolve these questions?

It can be a port conflict problem, maybe some other programs are using the same ports? (eg:skype and YM use 80)

I used the "port checking" feature in the xampp family (from start menu) and port 80 is being used by Apache while port 3306 is being used by mysqld-nt (part of xampp).

Check that neither your anti-virus or firewall are blocking the ports for the MySQL/Apache programs.

Btw, what is your XAMPP version?