How to set root password on Suse Linux (not asked for it at install time)

trashcan · 12-18-2006, 08:58 AM

I have just installed linux SUSE 10.0, surprisingly it did not ask me to enter the password after the 5th CD finished installing. But I guess the software is fully installed because all the 5 CDs were propmted. Now when linux starts it asks me for a password (root), yet I dont remember puting in any password and it wont let me do anything without a password, please help and very very new on linux

Acron_0248 · 12-18-2006, 09:13 AM

You could boot in single user mode into linux, once you get inside the OS, use the

Code:

passwd

for create a new password or you can use a liveCD, mount the root partition and chroot it so you can be able to use passwd

Other way will be type

Code:

init=/bin/bash

, at the prompt, type

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

and then type

Code:

passwd

to set a new password

Regards

Nylex · 12-18-2006, 10:23 AM

Could you possibly use better thread titles in future please? When you post a thread, you are told to use descriptive titles.

reddazz · 12-18-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nylex

Could you possibly use better thread titles in future please? When you post a thread, you are told to use descriptive titles.

Agreed. I've edited the thread title so that it reflects the problem.

pixellany · 12-18-2006, 11:43 AM

Is it possible that the default user is given sudo privileges? ( a la Ubuntu and some others)

If so, the just do "sudo passwd root"

The other method is to boot from live CD, mount the partition in question and edit /etc/passwd---find the enrty for root and remove the "x" between two colons. This disables the root password (allows you to log in as root with no password)

reddazz · 12-18-2006, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixellany

Is it possible that the default user is given sudo privileges? ( a la Ubuntu and some others)

If so, the just do "sudo passwd root"

The other method is to boot from live CD, mount the partition in question and edit /etc/passwd---find the enrty for root and remove the "x" between two colons. This disables the root password (allows you to log in as root with no password)

Suse like older distros does not use sudo like Ubuntu, so a root account is necessary. The root password thing seems to affect many users installing from the cd sets.