I have installed mandrake 8 on a new 30 gig fujitsu hardrive The installation was successfull but it asks me for a password, which i didnt put in when installing, and i can't get passed this screen. On windows all you do to get by this is push escape but that doesn't work on linux. So i reinstalled with the same results... it was a successfull install but it won't let me get by the password screen.... HELP.... what the heck is going on?

To install linux you will need to create at least one account, namely the root account.
The installation program should ask you for a root password.
I haven't installed Mandrake, but it should apply to that as well.
When installing you often get the opportunity to create user accounts as well.
Although you use your root account all the time it is highly recommended to create at least one user account, for the day to day work. This is a security issue because when logged in as root you have full permissions, even to delete important systemfiles.

The password for 'root'?

It's actually pretty important that you use it and then set up a 'regular' user with 'normal' priveleges. Use the regular account for everyday stuff and the root account for administration.

UNIX/Linux/Solaris/NT/2000 require an authentication mechanism for superusers (root).

Windows excluding NT/Win2k has no security, the win login process is only for customized settings. The network login is only usefull if you need to login to a domain or server, not for security of the machine.

Windows NT is secure and so is linux, you must have a root password and you should use hard to guess passwords for all users if you are connected to a network or the internet. The last thing you want to happen after you get Linux setup the way you like it (not a simple task), is to have a hacker lock you out or trash the system.

ahem lol NT security is not even close to being as good as linux. NT is so easy to get by the password screen. I recently bought a comp off eBay that was a website server and came with NT 4 server with all the service packs. The only thing was is the seller didnt have the root password so I went on the net, read a quick text file and over-rided lol

at the lilo prompt when you boot, type:

linux single

then, after you boot up, do:

passwd root

enter your new password and remember it this time

HTH

True, the only really secure computer is a broken one with nothing on it, and then you have to be very careful.

However I am sure no one can get into mine, because it is so secure. If you would like to try it go ahead, it is at www.microsoft.com


LOL

Now this good security...

http://angelfire.com/mb/visitme/security/dsktpsc.html

I think you would have to have a jackhammer to root this box.