forgot root password

michshelly · 07-29-2006, 03:11 AM

Hi,

I've forgotten my root password. What can I do?

I have tried several times. Will these mean I am locked at for good as the root user?

If the other user that I have created has no restrictions could I perhaps make that user the root?

Your input would be most welcome! Thanks

reddazz · 07-29-2006, 03:19 AM

You need to boot into runlevel 1 (keep keep entering 1 when the lilo or grub show up). Once you are in runlevel 1, run the passwd command. If you let us know what distro you are using, we can provide more detailed info.

michshelly · 07-29-2006, 03:23 AM

Hi Reddaz

I am using Fedora Core 2 version 2.10.??

Thanks. I shall try what you said.

How many times can I try a password before it locks me out?
thanks

Michshelly

spooon · 07-29-2006, 03:38 AM

more specifically, when grub shows up, press "a" to append to the kernel command and add " single" to the end

then run passwd in single-user mode

michshelly · 07-29-2006, 05:14 AM

Hi Spooon and Reddaz

I did it !!! Thank you both so much. I also looked at a few other similar posts and one of the links. thanks again.

By the way here's another question if I can rack your brains

I have FD2.6.10 and FD2 2.5.7

Can I delete or uninstall 2.5.7 or the other?

Thanks again for your help

Michshelly

reddazz · 07-29-2006, 07:41 AM

If you mean you have 2 kernels, then yes you can uninstall the old one. Just do something like

Code:

#rpm -qa | grep -i kernel

a list of kernels will be printed out, uninstall the one you don't need by doing something like,

Code:

#rpm -e kernel-{version}

michshelly · 07-29-2006, 07:46 AM

Thanks mate!