inherited laptop passwd
 

t is that the passwd I changed to will not log me in and I chaged the passwd twice to make sure that it was not a typing error.

I did manage to create an account that I am using but I cant update packages or do much with it.

I have read shadow pat to passwd file but I am not sure what I am supposed to do with the file.

I have a feeling its got to do with keys on his account but I dont know much about that to reset them.

Can anyone help me with that?

Is part of your post missing? t is not a word.


Sounds like the account you created doesn’t have sudo rights. Maybe. If you're using a distro which uses the sudo model.

Some information such as exactly what you have done, e.g. how did you manage to create an account, and what version of Linux it is may help people to help you.


Is there a particular reason you're messing around with the OS on a laptop you have inherited rather than just wiping it and re-installing?

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/resetpassword
Yeah, don't mess with someone else's headaches. Re-install and grab an LTS.

Yes, you could boot to single user mode and reset password.

I'll have to agree that you ought to just start over fresh with similar or any distro you may wish to try. Now is the time to test and play with.

post output of

All very valuable thoughts to you folks that responded but Imy fault for not posting the full story here. This is not my primary laptop. It was a service laptop which is a laptop that is used for prpojects etc. and my predecessor had some good stuff that I ddnt want to battle re-installing etc. As you might tell this post is in the newbie section so things he had as an example were software to connect to serial connections like routers,vpn software, enterprise wifi that are not easily done by a light linux user. I am however wililing to learn but time doesnt always permit. I have however wiped the laptop clean and installed ubuntu 14.04 and dealing with those issues through this and other forums.