change password form root 14.04 lts ubuntu
 

trying to change my user password that got change when I did a security up date. I did not change it.

trying to use root@user-aspire-m3420:~# -d, --delete this should delete the password for my user name but nothing happens
could use some help thanks Al

If a user password changed then this is cause for concern.

See examples maybe. http://linux.101hacks.com/unix/passwd/

Fixing user password
 

I did not recognize your sample code in your OP. first I would do CTRL-ALT-F1 to get to a command line without any GUI. (gui still there, CTRL-ALT-F7 to get back.)

Then try to log on as you with what you thought your password was. does it work?

Also ... if your password is really changed, are you locked out of your machine? Or are you auto logged in on boot.

if you can get to command line in any way you can fix anything with command.

If, as you implied, you can log in as root and your user account is joecool, then from root fixes all.

Just so you know ... if you are really locked out ... you can rescue your data using a boot CD. if nothing important on system, then just reinstall ... and be sure to enable root user next time so you have a fallback.

OK, maybe I'm wrong here, any Ubuntu I've ever installed never had a root user or password, you use sudo to elevate your permissions from your own account.
RedHat based Distros need a root account.

I've recently been informed that this can be used to reset your password though I've not tried it myself and am still skeptical.

Play Bonny!

:hattip:

Root password in Ubuntu
 

This being the newbie forum, one knows not what the OP knows or means, exactly. So let him/her respond so we can help them better.

Regarding your bonnie point, Soadyheid, you are correct that Ubuntu defaults to no root user ... something that has always annoyed me about the distro.

If you

from your user account after setting up a new machine, that new password applies to the root user, and a root user is enabled.
The OP said he was trying to change a user password, but he also did not say he was locked out of his machine,
and then in his example he implied that he was already root, so it's really unclear what problem we are trying to fix!
Throwing several options at him is a good strategy. Your post about a workaround on grub for someone who IS locked out is very interesting,
and could certainly be useful!

Going back to the OP

The above snippet of code makes no sense because -d is an "option" but there is no command. Not sure where you got it or what you mean.
Do you understand the basic linux command structure? (Let us know if not).
Perhaps you meant to type:

That WOULD disable the password for the root user. If you mean to disable your own password, and you are joecool, then you
want

This assumes that you HAD enabled root, and that you already were root.

Do feel free to enlighten us about what you know, what accounts exist on your machine and what you are really trying to do.