Hi,
I am new to linux so bear with me.

I recently setup my computer with suse 10.0 the free downloaded version. I installed it and it seemed to go ok. it never prompted me to setup a root password or a user login. just went through the setup and finished. system starts up and goes to the login. but Doh, I have no login. is there a default username/password for linux? I've tried root:root and any other default password i could think of. nuttin works. there is some instruction i found from suse's site about cracking the root password by booting from the 1st CD then going to rescue system. type in root, no password type in cd/etc then vi passwd and change some root command string, but the setting never seems to stick when i attempt to save i. any one have any ideas?. or do i just have to blow the system away and reinstall the OS again.

-Matt

Maybe try just using an empty password? Use root as a login but when password comes up just leave it blank and type enter.

tried it. didnt work. like i said, i tried root root, default default. no pass. anything i could think of off the bat.

Unlucky!

When in doubt, reinstall everything!! Must be a screen that asks for some password? If not, try Ubuntu. Its pretty good, GNOME based (Kubuntu KDE based). It just sets up a user account and priviledged commands are run by sudo instead of a root account. A root account can be setup by doing "$ sudo passwd root", which is what I prefer.

You can also boot into single user mode or off of a rescue disk and run the passwd command to reset root's password. If you search the forums for "lost root password" or similar you should be able to find step by step instructions.

OK I NEED HELP,
I had bought a magazine which came with a pile of linux applications, namely Linux Suse 10. I had wanted to try out and to seriously use a linux distro but had problems imaging from downloads or assembling images to use on cd's and have not yet read and memorized any commands.

You see, as I understand enough DOS to work in windows for finding files, copying, formatting, and so on. I really only want to have to poke buttons and work on graphics or 3D programs, and have a reduced startup, and have a fast system, and have a smaller footprint. So, why linux SUSE 10 ?...iT WAS ALMOST FREE!

But, it asks for a login? I will say it again...IT ASKS FOR A LOGIN!! ... all I did was install it. I did not set it up for a login, I cannnot login, it did not say you will be asked to login - here is your username and password - be carefull of the login. It did not say, as you casually expect great things for your future and humanity, YOU WILL BE LOGGING IN PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION! CHECK OUT THE LOGIN STATUS. WATCH OUT FOR THE LOGIN!!!... Now I fell uninvited, cast out and marooned. Is it my fault? Where was the warning? Do I need to be part of some world saving communirty to be given my login details,...should I pray?
Perhaps I am internalLizing this a little too much. PLEASE HELP ME, ALL I WANT IS TO LOG IN. IS IT TOO MUCH? I DON'T NEED TO KNOW WHY, REALLY. I JUST NEED TO LOG IN, THAT'S ALL, JUST LOG IN. PLEASE.

Yes.

During installation, you're asked to create a root password, and also a user name and password.

Now stop over reacting and randomly hitting your Caps Lock key. It makes you look like a troll trying to hijack a thread.

This is most likely way late, nonetheless...

Since I don't know how much new you are to linux(more so because there is no space in 'cd/etc' above), boot into 'rescue' mode using the 1st install cd. After the system has booted and is at the login prompt, enter 'root', ENTER (nothing) for the password. At the shell prompt enter 'vi /etc/passwd'. You will see something like:
BEFORE: root:x:13119:0:99999:7:::
AFTER : root::13119:0:99999:7:::

Remove(blank) the x(or a string of characters) in the second field, save the file, repeat the same in /etc/shadow and reboot. Please read/get familiar with basic 'VI' commands before doing the above.

hth,
Prasad

Actually I just started a thread on this problem:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=414309

The thing is that SuSE 10 doesn't ask you for any username
or password. SuSE 9.2 did, but strangely enough SuSE 10 doesn't.

That installation process has three phases.

First phase:
You setup all the the basic initial configuration like language,
partitioning, if its a new installation or an update, etc.

Second phase:
You install the software. You install the first CD, the system
reboots then you install the other 4 CDs. At the end it gives
you an option to start Yast to add additional software, then
you click finish and the system reboots.

Third phase:
You setup your root password, your user account and password,
then you configure things like your ethernet card and stuff
like that.


Now the Problem is that in SuSE 10 after you end the second
phase and the system reboots it takes you straight into login
instead of the third phase of the installation.

And I tried khurdp's advice and it didn't work either, its probably
because the installation process wasn't fully completed and it
still needs further configurations.

If anyone else has any more ideas that would be very helpful.