Linux - Newbie This Linux forum is for members that are new to Linux.
Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place! |
Notices |
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
Are you new to LinuxQuestions.org? Visit the following links:
Site Howto |
Site FAQ |
Sitemap |
Register Now
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
|
 |
|
12-01-2009, 03:33 PM
|
#1
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Rep:
|
Can't Log in other than Root
Hello,
This is a really silly question, but I forgot my username and password. All I remember is the root password.
How do I get out of root and login as another user?
I do apologize if this is a really remedial question.
I just realized, this is what is says I am logged in as:
[root@localhost ~]
Is that the same as root? I know....you can't believe I am asking that! I am new, what can I say!
Last edited by audrea; 12-01-2009 at 03:56 PM.
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 03:36 PM
|
#2
|
Member
Registered: May 2009
Distribution: Slackware 13.0
Posts: 30
Rep:
|
From root you should be able to change other users passwd =P. Should be in System Settings somewhere if you have a GUI Desktop, or simply use the "passwd username" command at terminal without quotes and with username replaced by name on acct of your other acct. If you don't know it look it up in the etc/passwd file.use "cat /etc/passwd"
Last edited by JK3mp; 12-01-2009 at 03:39 PM.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 03:51 PM
|
#3
|
LQ Addict
Registered: Jul 2002
Location: East Centra Illinois, USA
Distribution: Debian stable
Posts: 5,908
|
Take a look at file /etc/passwd. Down at the bottom, look for the line with you name/your home directory/your default shell. The name on the left end of that line is your user name.
Then, to reset your user password, follow instructions here.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 04:00 PM
|
#4
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Original Poster
Rep:
|
I am logged in as: [root@localhost ~]#
When I type /etc/passwd it says "Permission denied" Do you know what I am doing wrong?
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:04 PM
|
#5
|
LQ 5k Club
Registered: May 2001
Location: Belgium
Distribution: Arch
Posts: 8,529
|
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 04:07 PM
|
#6
|
Member
Registered: May 2009
Distribution: Slackware 13.0
Posts: 30
Rep:
|
Yes try cat /etc/passwd if that doesn't work, something is horribly wrong.
Last edited by JK3mp; 12-01-2009 at 04:09 PM.
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:07 PM
|
#7
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Original Poster
Rep:
|
Wow, that worked! Now when I see my name, will it show my password? Or now I can type /etc/passwd?
Thank you so much!
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:11 PM
|
#8
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Original Poster
Rep:
|
Never mind  I figured it out, I needed to switch users:
su - newusername
Does that seem correct?
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:14 PM
|
#9
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Jan 2009
Location: Canada
Distribution: Ubuntu Desktop / Ubuntu server / CentOS
Posts: 4
Rep:
|
as root, issue
passwd your_username
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 04:15 PM
|
#10
|
Member
Registered: Aug 2006
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 804
Rep: 
|
Once you su to the other user, run passwd to change the password.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 04:21 PM
|
#11
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Original Poster
Rep:
|
My problem now is that for the username I have changed to, I can't remember the old password.
It asks me for (current) UNIX password:
I type what I thought it was and I get the error:
Authentication token manipulation error
Am I making this more difficult than it is?
Thank you!
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:23 PM
|
#12
|
Member
Registered: May 2009
Distribution: Slackware 13.0
Posts: 30
Rep:
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by audrea
My problem now is that for the username I have changed to, I can't remember the old password.
It asks me for (current) UNIX password:
I type what I thought it was and I get the error:
Authentication token manipulation error
Am I making this more difficult than it is?
Thank you!
|
They already said. From command line while root use "passwd username". If same error come's, be sure theres an entry for it in /etc/shadow
Last edited by JK3mp; 12-01-2009 at 04:25 PM.
|
|
1 members found this post helpful.
|
12-01-2009, 04:28 PM
|
#13
|
LQ Newbie
Registered: Sep 2009
Posts: 10
Original Poster
Rep:
|
Thank you!
I got it! All changed  I know it is annoying helping a beginner...it is just a little confusing. You are dealing with someone who is just starting...on page 5 maybe 
|
|
|
12-01-2009, 04:29 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Registered: May 2009
Distribution: Slackware 13.0
Posts: 30
Rep:
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by audrea
Thank you!
I got it! All changed  I know it is annoying helping a beginner...it is just a little confusing. You are dealing with someone who is just starting...on page 5 maybe 
|
Glad to hear it. Thats fine, anytime. And welcome to Linux world =).
|
|
|
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:39 AM.
|
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.
|
Latest Threads
LQ News
|
|