I have an acer aspire one running linpus

Generally I'm very happy with it apart from not being able to run some of the software I use but I do like the linux system.

Now, though, I find that it is progressively holding me back as more and more things I want to do require a change that involves the password protected access and I don't know it.

I tried 000000 and 111111 I don't know if anybody knows another default password. It maybe I did change it but I have no idea what to.

If I can't resolve this can I cahange the operating system without it as that may be my only hope. I do have a recovery stick if that helps.

Hi and welcome to LQ.
Maybe this will help and maybe not?
Good luck,
jdk

I had already looked at all of that, but it didn't help at all.

I can do alt F2, and then it has xterm so enter then type su and enter then it asks for a password I dobn't have.

I think I'm too thick for linux.

Thanks for the welcome though

Not really. Normally when you install Linux one of the first things it does is ask you to give it a root password. Then it asks you to give it a password for your own account (I called my account jdkaye: no surprise there). That's not exactly rocket science, right? Maybe Linpus doesn't work like that or maybe it came preinstalled. You can always burn an install cd/dvd and do it again and this time be sure to remember the passwords. You're not too thick because no one is thicker than me and I find Linux quite easy. Windows, on the other hand, I simply can't get my old head around.
ciao,
jdk

Linpus was preinstalled when I bought the Acer Aspire one.

I don't recall changing the default password, I've tried the few passwords I usuually use just in case.

there is no CD drive so I can't install anything else except by usb stick. Wouldn't I need a password to do that anyway?

You might want to remove it.

I don't recall changing the default password, I've tried the few passwords I usuually use just in case.

Of course not. Installing an OS doesn't involve the old OS in any way, the hardware itself finds the new OS and starts it. Then you can enter the password in the new OS and do whatever you want.

Well I came here hoping to find help rather than glib comments.

I have no idea how to remove it or how to replace it or how to make it work better without the password.

Deep breaths and stay calm. We're all friends here (well usually ). When you burn an installation cd/dvd it is something you can boot from. It pays no notice to what's on your hard drive at first. You follow the directions which usually involves things like what language you want to work in and other equally difficult choices. Only later does it come around to asking you about what to do with your hard drive (or rather with what's on your hard drive). That's when you learn all about "to partition or not to partition". If you really haven't got around to using linpus at all then you might as well wipe your hard drive and replace it with whatever it is you're installing. Far be it from me to be glib. I hope I was at least clear.
ciao,
jdk

I've been using Linpus on here for a while and I've been reasonably happy with it, very impressed with some things too.

However I want to be able to do things like use skype, use flash player, watch .mov and MP4 I can't do that without changes.

I don't know how to get a different version of linux that might do this nor how to update linpus without a password. I don't have a CD player on this netbook so would need to do anything with a stick.

It may be that I need somebody with specific experience of this notebook and this version of linux to help, and it may be too old for that.

I'm a bit stuck not knowing how to improve it or change it. All help gratefully received

Possible solutions:
1. Yes, you can install from a usb stick. You'll need instructions on how to do that but they're not hard to find. If you like Linpus you can just go to their site and grab an installation image that can be put on a usb stick. As I mentioned, you can do that without a password and while installing Linpus it will either prompt you to supply a password or else use the default password which appears to be "11111".
2. Try another distro using the same usb method.
3. Give up.
Linux is very good at running on older machines so your chances of success are good. One thing is, it's hard to do anything with your system if you don't have access to root permissions. Other light-weight linux distros you could try are Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux. There are many others as well. Coraggio!
ciao,
jdk

oh thanks, before I try that I'll try your 11111 as that is one 1 less than I was trying.

Pardon me for butting in here but maybe the above is the problem. The command should be: "sudo su". Linpus should then ask for your user password and give you root privileges so you change the root password by running "passwd"

ah, ok, when I do that it says type in new unix password then says it doesn't match

ah, I perevered and I think I have a new unix password, now I can't find the file I downloaded to try it but thanks

I'm not sure if this helps but acer aspire has a bios password, but you would have to set it. The default on mine is 6-0's.
If you or someone else changed it you'll have to research resetting & I don't think there's going to be much information available online, you may have to take it to a shop.