boot from slackware cdrom

log into prompt

mkdir /tmp
mount /dev/md2 /tmp
(or appropriate root partition)
vi /tmp/etc/shadow

remove all encrypted md5 text (everything between the first and second colons)

<esc> xxxxxxxxxx

reboot the system

log in as root with no passwd

change the root passwd with 'passwd'

If you're running LILO as your boot loader, type 'linux single' at the boot: This will take you to a shell prompt with super user privileges. From here you can reset your password by typing 'passwd [username]' and entering a new one. Type 'init 5' to log back in. If you're running GRUB as your boot loader, type 'e' at the boot prompt, move down one line in the stanza and type 'e' again. Add 'linux single' to the end of that line, hit 'enter' and hit 'b'. This will boot you into the same shell as above and you can follow the same steps for resetting your password.