[ SOLVED ] root password for maintenance

[firenice03]

Good to hear you got it worked out 


I too have overlooked the manual and kicked myself.. No worries.

[Peejay]

Of course that worked, I'm very embarrassed not to have read the manual. The only slight difference was that when I held the SHIFT key down the normal menu entry appeared rather than one labelled 'generic'. Everything else was exactly as written. Thank you very much for your prompt help and tactful response.

[Peejay]

Regret to say I have not previously read that part of the manual. My bad. It looks as though it takes me to the point where I used to be through the GRUB Recovery Menu. Thank you. I'll have a check and confirm asap.

[firenice03]

Have you tried resetting per the manual??
https://www.linuxliteos.com/manual/install.html#respassword

[Peejay]

I've mistyped or misrecorded my main password in a relatively new installation. Previously when I have done this I have  been able to regain control of the system by entering the Recovery menu, selecting the 'root' option and creating a new password for my user.
This time though I have been prompted for the "root password for maintenance". This sounds like a move to improve the physical security of devices which is clearly worthwhile but I have never knowingly created or used such a password, except on a live disk. I have tried a plain [Enter] linuxlite and root but none has worked.
It looks like I might have to reinstall but how do I avoid this situation again (other than by complete accuracy of course, mea culpa without doubt on this).