How to reset lost user password ubuntu on VMWare server

edit the virtual machine's configuration (.vmx) and add or edit this option:

bios.bootDelay = "15000"

Reset Your Ubuntu Password
Reboot your computer, and then as soon as you see the GRUB Loading screen, make sure to hit the ESC key so that you can get to the menu.

If you have the option, you can choose the “recovery mode” item on the menu, usually found right below your default kernel option.
Then choose “Drop to root shell prompt” from this menu.

mount -rw -o remount /
passwd /