I just installed suse 10.1. After doing the online patch updates, it rebooted and stopped at the log in screen. I had selected a root password to use, but I did not have the opportunity during the setup to select a user name and password. Is there a default I can use?

you should be able to log in as user root as long as you are in front of the local computer.

If not and you want to create a new user. you can press (holding down each) CTRL-ALT-F1
where you'll be able to log in as root and create a new user who can login via the login screen

to add the new user and then set the password:
and then set it's password via:
cheers

After you login, you should run yast and do the update again since it sounds like it did not finish properly. You can also add users from there.

When the pc boots up, I am presented with the graphical login screen. I typed ctrl-alt-f1 and went to a text screen. It asked me for a username. I never got to the point in the install where I was asked to select a username, only to select a root password. I tried every kind of username I could think of with the root password. Nothing worked. Is it still possible to log in as root? Also, this is a dual boot box. I first instlled xp on it using half the hd space and installed suse linux on the remainder. Can the install be repaired without damaging the xp partition because the grub loader now handles booting?

Ok, I guess I was brain dead. I typed root, then the root password and was able to create the user and user password. Thanks for the help. I will keep these notes in a safe place in the event I get stuck again. And I will check to make sure yast is working fine.