By default when I installed mysql on openSUSE, root password for mysql access was blank. First thing then is to change password as this might pose security issue. First of all login to openSUSE using root account and then:
lab-net-01:~ #mysql
Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 3
Server version: 5.1.36-log SUSE MySQL RPM
Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.
mysql> SET PASSWORD = PASSWORD('P@ssw0rd');
Query OK, 0 rows affected (0.00 sec)
mysql>