You have to select "Ubuntu, Linux 2.6.31-15-lpia", then hit the e key to edit it, then you will find a line that begins with linux or kernel, then append init=/bin/bash to the end of it, then press ctrl-x to boot.

Once you get to the bash prompt enter: mount -rw -o remount /
Then enter: passwd to change the password
Then reboot.

OK nbritton, I managed to do all that, but after I booted and the bash prompt appeared it read:
bash: cannot set terminal process group (-1): Inappropriate ioctl for device
bash: no job control in this shell

Either way I typed the mount -rw -o remount /
And then tried changing the password with the commands "passwd username". But then got the "Authentication token manipulation error" "Password unchanged"

Are you literally using "password username"? You only need to type in "passwd".

You do realize you're running Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala)? That version is from 2009. Furthermore, that version is not a Long Term Support (LTS) version, they dropped support for it in 2011. I would advise you to update to Ubuntu 12.04 LTS or, if your machine will support it, Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.

Can you erase the system and do a reinstall? That's the best solution. What model is your Dell Inspiron Mini?

I repeated the passwd thing again but still gave me the authentication error.

But yes nbritton, I think I will just erase and reinstall the system (Which I don't really know how to do, and hopefully it doesn't ask me for any password). I have an inspiron mini 1011, so it has no CD port, but I could burn the iso to a USB and boot it like that, right?

That system has an Intel Atom N270, so I would recommend Ubuntu 12.04 32-bit. Here is the download link for the iso: http://releases.ubuntu.com/12.04/ubu...sktop-i386.iso

Yes you can install from a USB drive, here are the instructions:

• How to create a bootable USB stick on Windows
• How to create a bootable USB stick on Ubuntu

I think to get that system to boot from the USB drive you have to hit the F12 key at the dell startup screen, if that does't work try Escape and then the F2 key.

eddy1 sorry but there is 3 versions of ophcrack vist the web site that i posted a link to,

Pichito9 if you have a Ubunta/linux system on the computer then you need the linux version
1st get freeiso burner a good cd download the linux livecd version of ophcrack and burn to cd place cd in drive and bootup /you don't need unetbootin for this to work unetbootin is for usb stick
you can do the burning on a friends computer or a mac don't matter as long as you have the right version for you system
ophcrack will find the list of passwords/ write them down exit out pull cd out and reboot if you have to send me a note or pm me
i can make a ophcrack livecd for you just got to know where to send

dk

I do not believe that is correct. It only cracks widows passwords. So while you "can" run it on Linux, you can still only crack passwords on mounted Windows partitions. (I have never used it, but this is evident from the linked pages).

Since the OP needs to change or recover the password to an Ubuntu install, it would be pretty useless.

To ASTROGEEK
ok sorry for trying to help goodbye you all have fun with linux

God Bless you all
dk

I did not intend to upset or offend you, I simply wanted to point out that the information was not correct to save everyone trouble. Incorrect information, however well intentioned, is never helpful.

My apology if you were offended by that.

I don't know what lpia is but 2.6 is an old kernel, so old that this pc will be unlikely to be supported, i.e., no updates even if you get it to boot. I suggest you install a new Linux.

Fred.