MySQL 5.1.31 running on Windows XP.
From the local MySQL server (192.168.233.142) I can connect as root as follows:
>mysql --host
MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver is that special characters in the password aren't handled.
"Warning – You might have a serious headache with MySQL ODBC 3.51 if the password in your GRANT command contains special characters, such as ! @ # $ % ^ ?. MySQL ODBC 3.51 ODBC Driver does not support these special characters in the password box. The only error message you would receive is “Access denied” (using password: YES)" - from http://www.plaintutorials.com/install-and-create-mysql-odbc-connector-on-windows-7/