Reset password without installation CD

mangotree · 04-22-2011, 07:35 AM

Hi,
Is it possible to reset my root password without installation CD?I have been read some that it is possible by edit LILO, but i'm just not sure yet how to do that...by click TAB first on LILO?and what parameter should i append on?
Now i don't with my Slackware CD for in the next few days. Typos makes me lost root and my daily login simultaneously. If i reboot, i'll never login to my laptop-because there are only root and my login

So it's like i have just one shot to make it back to normal.Thanks

ChrisAbela · 04-22-2011, 09:01 AM

I use GRUB not LILO, so I am not 100% sure. Try to enter "telinit 1" in your kernel line (or where LILO lets you enter text). If it does not work try "init 1".

ponce · 04-22-2011, 09:12 AM

the system will ask for root pass also on init 1.

In these situations I usually boot with the kernel parameter (when lilo is not password protected)

Code:

init=/bin/bash

then I remount the root filesystem read and write (booting this way you got it mounted read-only), supposing is /dev/sda1

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /dev/sda1 /

issue a

Code:

passwd

then

Code:

sync
mount -o remount,ro /dev/sda1 /

and ctrl-alt-del to reboot.

ChrisAbela · 04-22-2011, 09:25 AM

Another option is to boot with your Slackware DVD, mount your hard disk root partition and chroot in it:

e.g.

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
chroot /mnt
passwd

mangotree · 04-22-2011, 10:08 AM

Hi,

Done by type linux single init=/bin/bash rw at LILO prompt

with linux single i still asked for root password
with linux init=/bin/bash it said password unchanged cannot lock /etc/shadow

Thanks

fietser · 02-25-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangotree

Hi,

Done by type linux single init=/bin/bash rw at LILO prompt

and passwd

Great.
Thank you.

Lost password for my old Laptop.

coolinout61 · 01-22-2023, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fietser

and passwd

Great.
Thank you.

Lost password for my old Laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangotree

Hi,

Done by type linux single init=/bin/bash rw at LILO prompt

with linux single i still asked for root password
with linux init=/bin/bash it said password unchanged cannot lock /etc/shadow

Thanks

passwd didn't work here, for me, but editing /etc/passwd to remove root pw did.

hth

lakis70 · 01-22-2023, 08:38 PM

i have 2 boot options
1 the normal
2 with ramdisk for situations like this

arfon · 01-26-2023, 12:32 AM

Ha! This shows you how old I am... I thought we were still storing password hashes in /etc/passwd!

enorbet · 01-26-2023, 01:59 AM

Ant bootable Slackware device will suffice if you just chroot in to your Main. This works whether Optical, USB, or HDD install of any similar architecture Slackware install. Not only dfo I have Install media but also several versions of Liveslak USB drives and always create a pristine backup system immediately after the Main install. I trust in "Six ways From Sunday" options. Fixing LILO with chroot is almost trivial.