One concept here is to 'catch' "grub" *before* the Linux kernel starts running at all.

This ('magic keywords')web-search returns various explanations: interrupt grub

If/when you you get to the point where the grub screen displays the option to enter 'e' (edit linux parameters),
then you add like 'single' or init=/bin/sh, and Mint come up in a mode where you can change user/root passwords.

This is like catching Windows boot to recovery mode. Finding the right interrupt key is a bit like 'entering BIOS' but we're not talking bios here.
grub is often configured to pause 5 seconds (allowing this 'e' option) before loading linux,
so the shift/esc/F? 'magic key' interrupt may not even be needed.

So, let's first 'catch grub'. Let us know.

ooops, 'ninja'ed

>Sorry, I meant I can navigate and enter the options but I cant type anything.

Try an: e

p.s. describe a bit more about where/what you're 'navigating'.... what 'recovery menu'?

Okay, I caught the grub.

Where's "there"?

I am on the screen that showed up after I pressed E on the grub screen.

oh ok! scroll to linux line (see stuff from my web-search); insert single

I am confused. I am at the line where it says linux. Do I type insert single there?

Add single to the end of the boot line.

This doesn't permanently change GRUB - so you have to edit every time you wish to boot with an altered boot line.

you will type

single

at the end of the Linux line. Here is an example: http://www.itzgeek.com/wp-content/up...-Mode-Edit.png

http://aplawrence.com/Linux/lostlinuxpassword.html
look for: Try single user mode
use arrow keys... in case single doesn't get you to a shell prompt, try: init=/bin/bash

'ninja' heaven here https://mintguide.org/uploads/posts/...59772__009.jpg
https://mintguide.org/system/248-res...inux-mint.html

I know this sounds like a stupid question, but where is the end of the line?

arrow keys... I've had to 'fight' the cursor here! you'll get it... keep poking&reading the web...
we've all (well, most/some/me anyway) 'been there at first' ... don't feel bad

p.s. this "EndOfLine?" *did* actually happen to me at first! But: philo:
'belief=thot' kept me going: if I believe I'll 'get there', I will; if I believe I'm stuck, I will be!

Okay, at the linux line, there is a text as follows:

linux /boot/vmlinuz-3.11.0-12-generic root=UUID=6b809d87-6b09-4bbb-9405-9167ba9eb8ad ro quiet splas\

There is then a text on the line directly under the linux line that is as follows:

h $vt_handoff

I typed single at the end of handoff. Did I do it right?

Maybe/probably!... oh, see \ in jpg picture I edited-into my earlier post
Worst-case: it won't boot & you can try again.
p.s. ooops, even I couldn't "find the end of that line" here! Wow...
( \ is Unix-speak for line-continuation)

Yes. The word single is in the same general place as the one in the picture. The text under the linux line on my computer currently is as follows:

h $vt_handoff single