Root password not working...
 

Please help me. My root password is not working. I was trying to change the password for another user, and i think i accidentally changed the root password. in grub, i added "single" to the end or the kernel argument line, and got root access that way. After that, i tried to change the password as root, but it will not let me. i get a "Token manipulation error". How can i change the password? Thank You.

I am not sure of the answer but using the search feature here on this site showed many post on the subject. Search using
Token manipulation error

Since in single mode, you are the root user, you can zero out the root password, then reboot normally. Edit out the characters between the first two colons in the /etc/shadow file's root record.

After you boot up again, you can log in without a password and use the "passwd" program to set a new password.

Yes. thats exactly what i did. right now im running w/o a root password. i booted up fully and logged in fine w/o a password, but i still cannot change the password. i get the same problem, "passwd: Authentication Failure"

Did not mention distro you were using. I am guessing Pam is enabled and this is stopping you from using the passwd command. I am not sure but if logged in as root and not needing a password then I think you can modify /etc/pamd.passwd file if it exist. In it at the top ad the line.
Save and exit. Try to change the password now.

Brian1

Please do not post the same thread in more than one forum. Picking the most relevant forum and posting it once there makes it easier for other members to help you and keeps the discussion all in one place.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/rules.php