ERROR 2017 (HY000): Can't open named pipe to host: . pipe: MySQL (2)

I had the same problem with MySQL 5.0. I tried the other items suggested by other users (which didn't work).

To successfully install:
1) Go to control panel->add/remove programs and remove MySql
2) Go to c:\program files\ and delete the MySql directory
3) Reinstall and select "Standard Configuration" from the Server Instance Configuration Wizard. Do NOT choose "Detailed Configuration"
4) After the installation is complete (successfully this time) you can go to Start->Programs->MySql->MySql Server 5.0->MySQL Server Instance Configuration Wizard. Now you can configure the server as you wish...