I changed the root password
 

I thought it would a good a good idea to change the root password, then I immediately forgot the new password.
Editing the shadow file just made it worse..

The helpful salix installation cd, had an option to reset passwords without installing anything.

thanks, but this isn't a great place to put tips and advice.

where should it be put?

your own blog? You can get an lq blog if you wish. http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/blog/