Need password recovery help! debian lenny/sid

azadehfarshidi · 05-10-2008, 01:25 AM

I installed it a few days ago and because I didn't work on it since that day, I've forgotten the password I set.
Is there any thing I can do to recover my password, or I have to reinstall the OS?

Takla · 05-10-2008, 02:37 AM

This thread offers a few solutions http://forums.debian.net/viewtopic.php?t=672

The method I've used for someone who forgot their password in Ubuntu was

Quote:

add

Code:

init=/bin/sh

to the kernel command line (in grub press E to edit the kernel boot parameters, add the change, press return, press b to boot)

the thing will start booting but pretty quickly will drop you at a shell from that shell do the following

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

Code:

passwd yourusername

(enter the new password)

Code:

exec init

Reboot and you can log in with the password you just set.

whwillisiv · 02-10-2009, 02:28 AM

i had forgotten my username as well,
eventually found it, but because this thread was the first i came to, i figured it might be someone else's first as well

when you get to the shell, do the

Code:

mount -o remount,rw /

thing, then enter

Code:

ls /home

this will bring up a list of usernames on your box, decide which is yours and proceed to reset using instructions listed above