So I have searched the threads and Googled this but I have a bad feeling I may have screwed myself beyond repair. I *believe* this angle on this problem is not covered in the other threads. If it is, apologies.

Per thread instructions I use the 1st install disk to get to rescue system, then I get to:
Rescue~:#

So then I type passwd, and it says "Changing passwd for root" but then it errors out to the following:
"User not known to the underlying authentication mode"

Have I skipped a crucial step somewhere? We walked away from this machine about 3 months ago, and I believe the last guy may have changed the "root" account name. Would that be causing the error? Is there any way to recover from this or do I need to re-install?

BTW - this is OpenSuse 10.1

If you have physical access to the hardware, you can always reset the root password. Here are two methods:

1. Boot into "single-user" mode. Typically, when the GRUB menu appears, stop the countdown by hitting the tab key. If in graphical mode, you might need to hit "escape". Edit the kernel line to add the word "single" at the end. then boot--you should wind up in a CLI mode with no password required. Type "passwd root' to change the root password.

2. Boot from any Live CD, mount the Linux partition, and edit /etc/passwd----remove the first "x" in the entry for root. It will wind up like so:
root::.....etc
reboot and you will be able to log in as root with no password (at least to a terminal---many distros are set to not allow root to log in to the GUI)

Sorry - it appears I am a true neophyte. I tried to mount the linux partition but I can't find it/don't know how (read through the man page). It is an nfs partition. I thought root was automatically mounted when you used the instal cd?