I have had a seed germinating for a week and a half and still no sign of roots but the seed has become very soft coild it be dead?
Whatever the case - it's not going to work for ya'. I'd suggest starting over. /edit: Another word of advice - germinate more than one seed at a time...
The best way to germinate I found is the wet papertowel method. I have a 95% germinate record out of 100 seeds I'd say. Just make sure you ring them out first.