Hi,

I changed my linux root password. But now I can't remember the new password and I can't do any aministrative tasks.

But I still have my normal user account. Is there a way that I can recover my root password or will I have to reinstall linux again.

Best regards,
chamal.

AFAIK you can do it 3 ways:
-you remember the password
-try to crack the password file with something like Jack the Ripper
-easily change it if you have a rescue disk like Knoppix

See which one suits you best and let us know. Anyway, maybe somebody has other suggestions.

this is what i do . hope it helps.

On an x86 system using GRUB as the boot loader, use the following steps to boot into single-user mode:

1.

If you have a GRUB password configured, type p and enter the password.
2.

Select Red Hat Enterprise Linux with the version of the kernel that you wish to boot and type a to append the line.
3.

Go to the end of the line and type single as a separate word (press the [Spacebar] and then type single). Press [Enter] to exit edit mode.
4.

Back at the GRUB screen, type b to boot into single-user mode.


then passwd root
and change it.

this is real easy!

step 1
download a iso of KNOPPIX distro of linux

step 2
burn it on cd

step 3
boot from cd

step 4
when o.s. is loaded open command shell

step 5
type in commandshell : su
now you a root users

step 6
in commandshell: mkdir /mnt/temp

step 7
typ in commandshell: fdisk -l /dev/hda
now take a look to see what is you / harddisk

step 8
in commandshell: mount /dev/hd* /mnt/test ( where * is your / as listed in fdisk -l /dev/hda)

step 9
vi /mnt/test/etc/passwd

step 10
delete the password line from the root to nothing

step 11
reboot and your done

Hi people,

Thanks a lot for your help. It really was very useful.

I was planning to reinstall linux, But your advice saved me a lot of time and from trouble.

Best regards,
Chamal.

It can be done in only 3 steps using Knoppix:

1.'mount -t ext3 /dev/hdN /mnt/hdN'

2.'chroot /mnt/hdN /bin/bash'

3.'passwd root'

where hdN is the partition where '/' is mounted.

That's all.

if u dont have grub password set it is very easy

step 1

when the grub loads just click on the linux o.s and press
"e" for edit

step 2
go the line
kernel ....................
press enter
at the end of line leave a single space and type single

step 3
go back to the grub
and load
u will get
sh# passwd root
and change the password