how do i regain root access on ubuntu?

tongsak77 · 12-17-2011, 07:29 AM

I just installed ubuntu and I used sudo to create a new user account. Now it is denying me access saying my username is not in sudoers file everytime I type in my password. Im pretty sure its asking for the password to my user account right? PLEASE HELP!!

markush · 12-17-2011, 09:34 AM

Hello tongsak77, welcome to LQ,

sudo asks for the password of your user account. Normally the first user which has been configured while the installation should have root-access via sudo.

What did you do when you added a new user? did you also change the password of your other account?

When you use sudo, you must insert the password for the user who is yet logged in.

Markus

tongsak77 · 12-17-2011, 02:58 PM

Thanks for replying Markush. I think I may have accidently changed it. All I know is my user account password doesnt work anymore. Is there anything I can do?

markush · 12-17-2011, 03:54 PM

Could you please describe in detail what happened? can you login as the new user?

Markus

Telengard · 12-17-2011, 05:40 PM

tongsak77's thread on Ubuntuforums has already garnered replies. Not sure where he'd like to continue the conversation, but hopefully he'll get the help he needs either way.

Allowing other users to run sudo
LostPassword - Community Ubuntu Documentation
How to reset your password in Ubuntu

tongsak77 · 12-19-2011, 10:51 AM

Thank you both for replying. I have tried to reset my password in recovery mode but now the computer is telling me there is an AUTHENTICATION TOKEN MANIPULATION ERROR every time I try to enter a new password. I have no idea what that means. I at the current moment have no root access and cannot do anything in sudo or gksudo. Any suggestions you guys have would be extremely helpful, thank you.

markush · 12-19-2011, 12:03 PM

Hi,

you should google for this errormessage, you'll find much about it. For example here: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1772894

Markus