[SOLVED] Modified "/etc/passwd", unable to login as root!

tulsi · 12-28-2009, 04:54 AM

Hi guys,

I made mistake in /etc/passwd file(Cent OS). In the file I change root::/bin/bash to /sbin/nologin. so I cannot enter the root. but I enter the users and i tried to change /bin/bash but permission denied.

please help me. its a important and urgent one.
Thank you.

zQUEz · 12-28-2009, 05:13 AM

Use a Linux install cd/dvd and start into rescue mode. For a Red Hat based Linux distro (e.g. CentOS), at the start prompt, type `linux rescue`. Work through the prompts until it drops you to a shell. Then edit your /etc/passwd which should be mounted under `/mnt/sysimage`.

dctw · 12-28-2009, 05:14 AM

Have you tried booting up in Single User Mode?

tulsi · 12-28-2009, 05:23 AM

yes I tried but cannot enter the single user mode
becoz display like
/dev/root no such a file directory
and something

Aquarius_Girl · 12-28-2009, 05:31 AM

tulsi

Label your thread title as follows:

Quote:

Modified "/etc/passwd", unable to login as root !

It will help u fetch more answers since many members do not bother to look into the threads labeled "Urgent".

chanduderoyal · 12-28-2009, 05:34 AM

better to use rescue mode

linus72 · 12-28-2009, 05:38 AM

seems pretty simple...

boot up any ubuntu or debian-live cd
autologin to user desktop
open a terminal and become root

sudo su

open a file manager as root (example ubuntu)

sudo nautilus

and then edit /etc/passwd

your done

tulsi · 12-28-2009, 06:50 AM

Thanks all of you

The problem will be solved

I tried to single user mode again in grub edit menu -> then end of second line like vmlinuz .....quiet S (i enter S) then go to runlevel 1 and I change the /etc/passwd file.

Thanks for all once again

XavierP · 12-28-2009, 10:53 AM

I've fixed the thread title to make it easier to find and search for.