sql newbie question

i posted this on database journals but no replies so to the experts.

Ok now to my problem.

A friend of mine has a website which she had a forum on which used a sql database which was based on another server.

but she wanted to host the database herself (on her server) and got a sponser who said they will set it all i.e server space and sql database which she got.

now the sponser dont actually own from what i can see the are a allfiate (spelling) and dont seem very helpful now so we cant talk directly to the people who own the servers etc..

so here i am

the problem is whenever i try to create a forum i get the message....

Warning: mysql_connect(): Access denied for user: 'cruiseland@localhost' (Using password: YES)

when i use invision and get a similar error when trying to install phpbb.

now from the look of it its not accepting the password im using.

BUT i can connect through the mysql control centre with that password and manually add tables etc..

i even made a forum on another sql database backed it then imported it into this database but it still doesnt work..

so my question what is going on im using the right password i jus dont understand.

Many thanks mike