reset root password

powah · 09-14-2006, 01:41 PM

I had forgotten my root password for my Fedora Core computer.
Is there a way to reset its root password?

w3bd3vil · 09-14-2006, 01:49 PM

yeah, when grub loads just hit "a" two times and append 1 to it.
then hit enter
you will have a bash prompt, in that type "passwd root" and change your password.

powah · 09-14-2006, 02:54 PM

Problem is solved by booting into single user mode from GRUB.
Then execute the "passwd" command and choose a new password for root.
Full instructions are available at
http://linux.suramya.com/tutorials/ResetPassword/

powah · 09-15-2006, 10:48 AM

Is there a way to disable the reset root password capability of my linux PC?
Allowing this capability is a security threat.

sn68 · 09-15-2006, 12:09 PM

The grub itself can be password protected so that only auth user can reset root password.. (what happens if someone forgets grub password -> easy! use root password to reset the grub password)

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/l...-boot-sec.html

w3bd3vil · 09-15-2006, 01:30 PM

what if you forget both the passwords??
still you can change the password using rescue mode.

bottom line is, you need physcial security here.