Reset root password
From MEPIS Documentation Wiki
GRUB:
- Choose the kernel image you boot to (don't press Enter yet)
- Append the word single to the end of options, hit enter.
- At command prompt type: passwd root
- Follow the prompts to change the password.
- Type: sync; reboot
LILO:
- Boot your machine, then at the LILO prompt enter:linux single
- Type: passwd root
- Follow the prompts to change the password.
- Type: sync; reboot
Another method (using chroot):
- boot your system with the Live CD, use the root account to log in.
- mount your "/" partition from the harddisk
- open konsole and type "chroot /mnt/partitionname /bin/bash" where, of course, the partition name is the "/" partition name (e.g. chroot /mnt/hda2 /bin/bash)
- type passwd and input a new password

