My problem is solved...
I'm not sure this is the solution for others experiencing variations on this problem.
This could have been avoided by simple programming.
When you create a password for a user is says use a password with a minimum of 8 alphanumeric characters.
Most of us have been encouraged to use a symbol somewhere in the password for a more resistance to hackers.
I used a "$" sign. On a hunch, during another clean install, I made sure not to use the symbol and I successfully got into admin.
Seems to me that prestashop could have checked for this, or at least specifically said "no symbols".
I'll be curious to see how many others find this to be the solution for their admin access problem.
Regards,
Russell Cox