As recommended I installed the element 14 provided image for using the chipkit pi board.
In this installation I don't get my WIPI dongle to work so I tried updating the installation using the provided aptitude package manager.
This however prompts to change to the root account in order to proceed and then asks for the root password.
I can not find the pre setup password though.
Glad to have helped.
If you mark this question as answered other people with the same issue will be able to find it much easier 
Greg
Wanted to share the result of the update process first 
After a swift update of some 120 packages using the ethernet interface
I powered down the Pi.
Unplugged the patch cable, inserted the Wi-Pi dongle and booted up...
Wifi now works like a charm 
