Login problems
 

I recently bought an old computer, this computer is installed with linux, the person who sold me the computer said that linux didn't fully install.
When i get to the login, it says

Mrburns login:

when i type something in it says password

i asked the guy the pass and user name, and he said he doesnt remember so i cant log in, anyone know how to find out?

Few possibilities...

1.) get a linux boot-disk or bootable CD ...
boot of those, mount the hard-disk and
edit /etc/passwd

2.) If the box has lilo on it, pass single as
a parameter to the kernel... if it's a RH or
MDK box you get a root-shell without
password prompt ... you can then set
passwords as you please.

Cheers,
Tink

Boot linux single and use the passwd command to change it.

# I hosed my box
LILO mini HOWTO
Multiboot with LILO HOWTO
LILO, Linux Crash Rescue HOW-TO
Installing a bootloader
Multiboot with GRUB Mini-HOWTO
Linux+Win9x+Grub HOWTO
KNOPPIX Linux Live CD
Linux Bootable Business Card
Tom's Root and Boot floppy
Windows 2000 Recovery Console
Windows XP Recovery Console

Whats linux single, and where can i get a boot disk?

Do you know the distribution and release of Linux that is installed? You will get more specific answers if you do.

Watch the bootup messages carefully and look for an opportunity to pass commands to the bootloader. Perhaps you need to hit "i" or something similar. The messages should say.

Type linux single and hit return when you figure it out.

Linux single boots to the command line and you have root powers without giving a password. Change the root password:

passwd

Do you know the user's name? if not, you will need to add a user as well.

If you need a boot floppy, see my previous post about toms root and boot.

oo, alright, ill try that

Aliright i got past the log in screen but i dont know the root user name

You don't need to.

Type:

passwd <enter>
enter the password you want to use for root access twice as the prompt suggests.

Reboot

At the login prompt tpye:

root<enter>
give the password you assigned.

Now create a new user, log out of root and into the user's account and go from there.

Seriously, you need to :study: :)

I suggest downloading these:
Linux Newbie Administrator Guide
Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition

Since you have been unable to answer some of my questions, you might want to print this out and refer to it to explore that box some.

Handy bash commands for finding out stuff in Linux:
# Find CPU specifications
cat /proc/cpuinfo

# What pci cards are installed and what irq/port is used
cat /proc/pci

# Memory and swap information
free
An article: Tips for Optimizing Linux Memory

# How is the hard drive partitioned
fdisk /dev/hd<X> -l

# How much free drive space
df -h

# Show disk usage by current directory and all subdirectories
du | less

# Find running kernel version
uname -r

# Find X server version
X -showconfig

# What is the distribution
cat /etc/.product
cat /etc/.issue
cat /etc/issue
cat /etc/issue.net
sysinfo

# For finding or locating files
find
locate
which
whereis

# Use dmesg to view the kernel ring buffer (error messages)
dmesg | less

# Watch error messages as they happen (sysklog needed)
as root, tail -f /var/log/messages (shows last 10 lines, use a number in front of f for more lines)

# What processes are running
ps -A

# Find a process by name
ps -ef | grep -i <plain text>
For example, XCDroast
ps -ef | grep -i xcdroast
# See current environment list, or pipe to file
env | more
env > environmentvariablelist.txt

# Show current userid and assigned groups
id

# See all command aliases for the current user
alias

# See rpms installed on current system
rpmquery --all | more
rpmquery --all > <filename>
rpmquery --all | grep -i <plaintext>

# What directory am I using
pwd

# What takes up so much space on your box
# Run from the directory in question and the largest chunk shows up last
find $1 -type d | xargs du -sm | sort -g

Look at man <command> or info <command> for the flags I used and for other options you can use for bash commands.

alright, i just got one last question. i got an error.

When i hit 90% on the system check on got an error that said.

FAILED

run fsck manualy, when i ran fsck everything turned out clean, than i rebooted and got the same error message, and when i tried the passwd i got administrative token manipulation error

Are you saying the fsck failed on boot the second time after you ran fsck manually? If so, I suspect a really screwed system if you say he never finished installing. He may have hit the power button while something was in progress.

I would suggest reinstalling. Most newbies have good results with RedHat and Mandrake.

The KNOPPIX Linux Live CD would be a good test of your hardware and to give you a quick look at linux and I understand you can even install from it. If you have an external modem, you can even get on the net real easy, or at least I can on all my boxen.

# Cheap CDs
Discount Linux CDs
Linux Central
Cheapbytes
TuxCDs
ComputerHelperGuy

nah, i didnt hit the power button, there wasnt enough space, im just tryin to boot it and install a windows shell