I've recently re-installed my HDD with dual boot Windows and Ubuntu 4.10 ( was tucked away while the kids were doing all their assignments at school)
2 problems that I have , firstly as it has been around 12 months since I accessed Ubuntu which was the first release, I have forgotten the login password.
Second problem is the graphical interface doesn't work due to a problem with the release version of "X-server". so I only have the command line - tried recovery console no joy there either.
Questions 1 Can I reload a later distro version over the top of Ubuntu 4.10
If not, how do I access and clean the partition that Ubuntu is currently on , so I can reload another a later version or another distribution
Appreciate any help
Rgds

If you don't have any important files that you wish to save on the Ubuntu partition, simply download the newest Ubuntu and install over your current Ubuntu installation (thus formatting those old Ubuntu partitions and starting fresh). You'd be pleased with the improvements on the latest Ubuntu ^_^

I'm currently at dial-up speed.
I do have an installation disk with Unbuntu 5.04 on it
What do you think?

I used 5.04 for quite a while and loved it ^_^. Since you are on dial-up, you may consider ordering (it's free ^_^) Ubuntu from their homepage. I did that once. Took me a while, but I got them (in fact, I got over 20 copies, which I distributed among friends). But hey, 5.04 is pretty sweet .

for the forgotten password part, you can boot into single-user mode and change the password from there

I know it's probably dead easy if you know how, unfortunately once the boot up sequence starts it ends with the flashing command line with login password. How do I get into single user mode ?
From the dual boot up there are 3 options, normal / recovery mode / command line
I am unsure what to type if I option command line.
Rgds