I did a password reset following the following instructions:
Reset the Root Password in Oracle Linux | RainingForks Tech Blog
I note the following error after doing so:
integrity : unable to open file : /etc/keys/x509_ima.der
side note: think I figured out what happened with the root password but not sure could not install applications, etc..
Blank Screen And Single Cursor on OL6 After Grub Menu Screen (oracle.com)
this one seems to identify the issue...