LinuxQuestions.org - Booting into Single User on MDK 9 asks for root password instead of booting into root

- Linux - General (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-general-1/)

- - Booting into Single User on MDK 9 asks for root password instead of booting into root (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-general-1/booting-into-single-user-on-mdk-9-asks-for-root-password-instead-of-booting-into-root-38740/)

Booting into Single User on MDK 9 asks for root password instead of booting into root

I have been able to run single user mode of mandrake 9. However, it then asks during the boot to enter root password for maintenance mode. This is what I am trying to change cos I forgot it! Everyone says you are supposed to get into root prompt in single user mode but it doesn't look this way.

Am I missing something?

Here is the "traditional" help:

http://www.linuxmanagers.org/piperma...ry/000322.html

Did you do this? Note that typing "linux 1" isn't quite the same as working within the repair mode (so try "linux 1" or "linux single" at your lilo prompt).

Some lilo configurations have this disabled via a lilo password. You don't, it appears.

And since you are probably using grub instead of lilo:

http://www.linuxselfhelp.org/phpBB/v...=202&forum=3&2

Here's the gist of it:

Quote:

When GRUB boots up, select the version of the kernel that you wish to boot and type e for edit. You will be presented with a list of items in the configuration file for the title you just selected.

Select the line that starts with kernel and type e to edit the line.

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.

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

And, here's my google in case you need it:

http://www.google.com/linux?hl=en&lr...+mandrake+grub

John

i'm using LILO. And following just about every tutorial anyone throws at me does not work.

linux 1

does not work because it prompts for a root password

the passwd entry for root does not have a password in it so that does not reset anything

linux init=/bin/sh

does get me to a prompt but I cannot see passwd command even when I mount everything.

Try this:
Use your 1st install CD and boot to rescue mode then
Edit your /etc/passwd file
root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash <-change this
root::0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash <- to this
Then you can reboot and login as root without a password.

sorry but i cant post a new thread and i am hoping for some help!

Hi!
Ive gone through all the documentation i could find.. and i still cant get into run level 1 on my mandrake9 box (im a super newbie on linux)

Here is what happens on my machine...

when my computer starts up i get a graphic page with options:
linux-secure
linux-nonfb
failsaife

From what i have understood, i should go into "failsafe" and
this should happen:

"If the 'Linuxconf' administration suite is installed, it will be started in console mode upon reaching runlevel 1. You will be presented with a runlevel menu or the possibility to use 'Linuxconf' to do system maintenance tasks."
from: (http://www.mandrakeuser.org/docs/admin/arecov2.html)-----

But on every option i press i get a "root authentication required"
And when i quit the Linuxconf screen linux starts and i get prompted with a login.

Where am i suppose to type in 'linux single' or 'init 1' ??
I dont get any prompt ever :/

(i have no recovery cd or floppy)

ive spent 5 hours now reading through documentations and forum answers and other help pages.. so i hope someone here can tell me if i should give or if there is anything i can do though i am very very bad linux.

thanks in advance!

Try This,

at boot prompt

linux init=/bin/sh

than at # promp do as per following,

fdisk -l
check your root partition and then

mount -o remount,rw /dev/hda1 /

than

passwd root
than give new password this will surely work.

ok.

Devang Shah
MCP,CCNA,RHCE.OCP
www.linuxcops.com