[SOLVED] I forgot my zorin password

HABRAZIE · 06-17-2023, 04:13 PM

I installed Zorin on my second desktop and haven't used it for over a year. I have forgotten the password I used. It logs in automatically but when I try to do things like install something it wants the password. I downloaded Zorin ISO to reinstall I can't burn it to USB as it wants the password.
How can I fix the problem?

teckk · 06-17-2023, 04:31 PM

Are you talking about resetting the root password or user password?

https://linuxconfig.org/recover-rese...-root-password
https://phoenixnap.com/kb/how-to-cha...password-linux
https://zoringroup.com/forum/6/5252/

michaelk · 06-17-2023, 05:43 PM

zorin is based on Ubuntu so I would assume the OP is referring to their user's password.

computersavvy · 06-17-2023, 08:05 PM

The only way I know to securely manage a password reset if that is the only user on the system would be to boot to a live media, mount the root file system (such as at /mnt) then edit the /mnt/etc/shadow file and remove the password from the users line (being very careful to not alter any other part of that line (or any other line).

On my system that would mean changing a line that looks like the first line into one that appears like the second line.

Code:

user1:$g$j9T$WsrhbWhScBjQwCJSTngva0$juNq16kqyN9sbv3YSz/QcKmCjxMgWHbQ7NDoJ.m5qZA:19486:0:99999:7:::
user1::19486:0:99999:7:::

Once the file is changed and saved then the system is rebooted. Now the user will have no password and must reset it as one normally would do.

enigma9o7 · 06-17-2023, 11:19 PM

Do you have a recovery mode option in advanced grub options? Often that gives you a root shell, which you can use to set your password.

beachboy2 · 06-18-2023, 03:05 AM

HABRAZIE,

You need to hold down the Shift key as the computer boots up.

From the displayed Boot Menu, select recovery mode and then follow the rest of these instructions:
https://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/resetpassword

jmgibson1981 · 06-18-2023, 11:01 AM

Quote:

The only way I know to securely manage a password reset if that is the only user on the system would be to boot to a live media, mount the root file system (such as at /mnt) then edit the /mnt/etc/shadow file and remove the password from the users line (being very careful to not alter any other part of that line (or any other line).

On my system that would mean changing a line that looks like the first line into one that appears like the second line.
Code:

user1:$g$j9T$WsrhbWhScBjQwCJSTngva0$juNq16kqyN9sbv3YSz/QcKmCjxMgWHbQ7NDoJ.m5qZA:19486:0:99999:7:::
user1::19486:0:99999:7:::

Once the file is changed and saved then the system is rebooted. Now the user will have no password and must reset it as one normally would do.

Wouldn't it be safer to load the live, chroot and just run

Code:

passwd user

No reason to edit that thing more than necessary I'd think. As the chroot is under root it will skip prompting for the old password before letting you enter the new one.

HABRAZIE · 06-19-2023, 12:47 PM

I have tried many things and none work. Holding the shift key goes nothing. Holding the escape key goes to grub but has no advanced or recovery choices. I have backed up my Home so I am going to just reinstall Linux maybe new flavor.
Thank you all for the help.