i forgot my router password...how can i retrieve and change it?

Well there's a few things you can do. You can either log into your router, or you can get onto a computer where the wireless works and get the password from there.

To get the password from a computer that can connect to the wireless, right click on your network icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen. After you right click on it select "Open Network and Sharing Center". Next, click "Manage Wireless Networks". Then select your wireless network name by clicking on it one time, then right click on it and select properties. This will open a dialog box. In the dialog box click the security tab. Then it will show your security type, encryption type, and key. You may have to click the box to show character keys. (This step is assuming that you have Windows Vista or Windows 7)

To access your router via your computer, you'll have to find out your default gateway. To do that go to your command prompt and type ipconfig. Then type your default gateway address into the address bar of an internet browser and hit enter. This will bring you to a page where you have to enter a username and password. The default username is usually admin and the password is admin or password.

Once you're into your router, go through your tabs until you get to your wireless or security tab. There it will show you your wireless password.

Is that the settings password, or the password to connect to the wireless network?

If the first, you might have to reset the router. There should be a button on the back.

If it's the wireless password, you can generally find it on the computer. If you're using Windows 7, click on the network icon on the taskbar, then Open Network and Sharing Center. Then it's Manage Wireless Networks.

Find the network you want (possibly the only one), and double click. Go to the Security tab, and tick Show Characters. There's the password.

It shouldn't be too different for Vista, and I haven't used XP for ages.

Beside the spot where the power plug plugs in there is a little hole that probably says "RESET" beside it. You need to take a pin, put it in that hole and hold it against the button. Then (while holding that pin in place) unplug power from the router, wait 5 seconds, plug it back in, wait another 5 seconds, then you can let go of the RESET button.

NOTE: This procedure resets your router to factory settings. The password will be reset to what it was when you bought it but also EVERY OTHER SETTING you're EVER CHANGED will be reset to factory and will need to be setup again.

Sorry but besides becoming an elite hacker, that's about the only way to do it.