[SOLVED] Forgotten root password in fedora9

nkd · 12-24-2008, 08:43 PM

I have forgotten the fedora 9 install, root password.
At the boot screen, I used the edit option to change the bootup to single user mode.
On getting the bash prompt I changed the passwd for root and it confirms that the authentication tokens have been successfully updated.
But after booting up on the gdm screen when I try to login as root with the new passwd , it fails.
What could be the problem. It used to work like a breeze in RHEL.
any clue would be helpful.
thanks in advance
nishith

n03x3c · 12-25-2008, 12:09 AM

The thing is, by default, root login may not be allowed. Try login from virtual terminal first. And then edit login time parameters and allow sys admin login.

nkd · 12-25-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Try login from virtual terminal first.

yeah it works from there although from gdm it fails.

Quote:

And then edit login time parameters and allow sys admin login.

I didnot quite follow how to do that. Do you mean I have to enable root login from the gui by doing something ?
Actually on other fedora 9 installs I am able to login from the gdm as root ! so why should it be any different after I changed the password for root in single user mode ?

thanks
nishith

pixellany · 12-25-2008, 07:00 AM

Somewhere in the menus, there should be something with settings for the login manager. On my system (Arch, using GDM), it under settings-->login window.
Or just enter "gdmsetup" in a terminal (running as root)

In the Security tab, there is an option to allow the local administrator to log in.

repo · 12-25-2008, 07:03 AM

Quote:

In the Security tab, there is an option to allow the local administrator to log in.

It is never a good idea to login in a gui as root.
Just use su or sudo to become root and do the tasks you want to do.

pixellany · 12-25-2008, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repo

It is never a good idea to login in a gui as root.
Just use su or sudo to become root and do the tasks you want to do.

You are correct.....The normal reflex here is to include "Don't do that" in the response to queries on GUI login as root.

su and sudo are good for command-line stuff, but note that you can also get specific GUI utilities by just entering the appropriate command in a root terminal. For example, as root, type in "gedit", and you'll have a GUI text editor running with root privileges.

nkd · 12-25-2008, 10:40 AM

Thanks guys,
I found that and hope that it will solve the problem.
Unfortunately the machine is at office, so will have to wait till morning !
Shall post back with the updates
thanks once again.
nishith