Lost My root password !!!
 

Hello,

I have setup one server with redhat 7.0,with 350 client.and all most 200 up users login at the same time.

now i need to do some imp work in my cable server.

but i lost my root password.

any one have any idea how can i retrive my 'root' password

and i can't reboot my server.and also in any mode.

if any one have some idea??????


Thanks in ADV.

Hitesh

The only way I know of to bypass this problem involves switching the system to single user mode, either through rebooting or using the "init" command.

<I'm being vague on purpose, as this is the easiest way to "kick in the door" on a Linux machine. Mail me for details>

A fairly common problem - some solutions -

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...=lost+password

:)

vague? odd...

ok, so assuming you're using lilo, press esc when you get the lilo menu, and run "linux single". that will load you into single user mode (runlevel 1) then just use "passwd" to set a new root password.

Lost my root password !!!
 

Hello Friends,

Thanks for kindly reply,


but i can't switching my linux to single user mode.with "init1".
or i can't reboot my my RHL server.

I have an have to runing up.bec'z of 350 client accessing at the same time.

so here is my question again,

1)how can i retrive my admin passwd with out rebooting my linux box.
2)and also with out switching to single user mode "init1"

so is there any other way to slove this problem.??????

plzz help me....


Hitesh

you can't. no. you have a server with 350 simulatneous connections and you simply forget your root password? you MUST get into single user mode. doesn't it strike you as a little bit insecure to be able to change roots password without being root???

If you have sudo installed, you may be able to do this easier. First, if you don't have the proper permissions in sudo to execute passwd, you'll need to edit your /etc/sudoers.conf file from either a rescue disc or single user.

Then run 'sudo passwd root' and then change your root password. I'm not in Linux currently, so I can't give you details on how to edit your sudoers.conf

Next time, don't lose it.

well the whole point is that he refuses to reboot. if he does then he can get into single mode anyway, so why would sudo be any easier? it's even more drawn out...!

I was thinking the same thing. Linux is easy to hack into ... ? Why did they not make this more secure?

it IS secure... you CAN'T change the password without being root... that's what i meant. getting to single user mode requires 1) physcial machine access and 2) access to boot loader configuration. the second is normally fine, but you can easily set lilo or grub to use a password in order to prevent alternative, non standard boots.

it IS perfectly secure. i meant that the guy is demanding to be able to change it without rebooting the system, which IF it were possible, which it is not, is staggeringly insecure.

Well I guess it's pretty well locked away then. I figure as long as you keep fishing around in computers, you'll find what you need eventually. Kinda like finding socks from the 4th layer of my room's floor.

So, basically, your (hitesh_linux) problem is organisational more then it is technical : There are quite a few solutions to this problem. But apart from the most unfeasable one (typing every possible combination of charactes on a keyboard), they all involve rebooting.

I haven't really heard any reason why you can't reboot, apart from continuity. If this is indeed your only restriction, you have to take this up with your management (if you're not running a one-man show) or your clients. If you state your case to them, it should be obvious to them that a little downtime now will save them trouble later on. Agree on a date and duration (more then you would normally need, just in case), inform the clients, and stick to the planning.

And if they don't let you take the system down, you can give them a full frontal "I told you so" when (not if) then system comes down at the most inconvenient moment.

Hello Friends,

Thanks to all of you,for giveing good and kindly reply,

but still my questions is,

can i get root password with out rebooting my server,

here i am changeing my way like,

------
is there any shell script ,which through i can enter and can be able to change root password.
-------
yes iam talking about hacking.......???
i mean Hack the server with shell script when it's in runing mode ....


how it w'll possible ???

send it, if any one have that shell script....

Thanks in ADVNACE .....
-------------
Hitesh

I do believe that answer was clear: No, you cannot change the root password without the root password unless you reboot. An exception would be if sudo is installed and enabled and you can become a user (whose password you *do* remember) who has been given appropriate permissions. Bite the bullet, reboot.

It is were that simple, I doubt that anyone would be using a linux distro