being root

[terry]

computer hp pavilion 9000    started with f10 live cd.  then onto 
install on hd,
was asked for root password at the beginning of install. did so. root 
password works inside a terminal as needed.  d/l and install open office 
from their website. during install of oo i am asked for root password. 
the popup disappears when i click on ok. and i cannot put in password 
for  root anywhere. when i tried to log in as root my password is not 
authenticated. how can i become root everywhere than just in a terminal 
box. this is private computer not used by anyone else.
thank you.