Resetting your systems root password may be a necessary step if you have forgotten it or have bought a used computer which you don't want to setup anew. Doing so without any installation medium saves you a blank CD and
Log In As Root in Live Mode (Linux Mint)
After crashing your system and getting entertaining colored screens on boot, you may have to consider booting in live mode from a bootable device such as an installation DVD or a USB-device. However you'll need to be able to log