reset root pw ? [Solved]

[jolato]

Is this the correct method ?

To reset the root password I restarted the system into single use mode until I got the #
mount -o rw,remount /dev/sdax
I edited the /etc/shadow file with nano and deleted the encrypted field, saved and checked
I reboot, open terminal, su or su - but the new password doesn't work

[manifesto]

it should work like root::0:........
if it doesnt you can try to modify /etc/sudoers (visudo -f /etc/sudoers should work as well from cd) and add :
youruser ALL=(ALL) ALL
and/or uncomment %wheel entry if commented and add your user in /etc/group => wheel:x:.....:root,youruser
if you want to be sure (if shadow file is corrupted ) use nopasswd :
%wheel ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL

[batvink]

if you didn't messed with the sudoers file, you are on the wheel group, and just can : sudo su
and enter your own passwd.
then:
passwd and enter new passwd for root...

[micia]

I removed a duplicate of this thread, please don't double post.

[svantoviit]

You can restore the root password using a live CD (DVD, USB, whatever)
1. boot the live media
2. mount the root partition
3. cd to the mounted partition
4. chroot /bin/bash
5. passwd