Can't Log in other than Root

audrea · 12-01-2009, 03:33 PM

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!

JK3mp · 12-01-2009, 03:36 PM

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"

bigrigdriver · 12-01-2009, 03:51 PM

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.

audrea · 12-01-2009, 04:00 PM

I am logged in as: [root@localhost ~]#

When I type /etc/passwd it says "Permission denied" Do you know what I am doing wrong?

repo · 12-01-2009, 04:04 PM

try

Code:

cat /etc/passwd

JK3mp · 12-01-2009, 04:07 PM

Yes try cat /etc/passwd if that doesn't work, something is horribly wrong.

audrea · 12-01-2009, 04:07 PM

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!

audrea · 12-01-2009, 04:11 PM

Never mind

I figured it out, I needed to switch users:

su - newusername

Does that seem correct?

Rayskovsky · 12-01-2009, 04:14 PM

as root, issue

passwd your_username

manwichmakesameal · 12-01-2009, 04:15 PM

Once you su to the other user, run passwd to change the password.

audrea · 12-01-2009, 04:21 PM

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!

JK3mp · 12-01-2009, 04:23 PM

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

audrea · 12-01-2009, 04:28 PM

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

JK3mp · 12-01-2009, 04:29 PM

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 =).

chrism01 · 12-01-2009, 04:45 PM

You may find it worthwhile bookmarking the following:
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

Also
http://tldp.org/LDP/Bash-Beginners-G...tml/index.html
http://www.tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/

Please add your distro name & version to your profile, for future ref, as its one of the first things people ask when you raise a qn.

Lastly, Welcome to LQ