No /etc/shadow file on fedora?Stucked !!!

your_shadow03 · 08-28-2008, 06:23 AM

I dont see any /etc/shadow file on my machine?
How Can I bring it back?

Matir · 08-28-2008, 08:15 AM

Unless it was deleted, any default installation of FC should have an /etc/shadow file. I can't even think of a good reason to remove it in a network environment. (You still want root to be able to login locally to perform maintenance, etc.)

your_shadow03 · 08-28-2008, 09:25 AM

I dont know how it got deleted..But I need your Help to get it back?

Matir · 08-28-2008, 10:06 AM

If it's been deleted, my best suggestion is to reinstall your system. You may be able to recreate the file using the pwconv command, but I haven't tested that on a system with a shadow-format passwd file. On the other hand, if your system is broken (missing shadow) then I doubt it would do any harm.

Fantasio · 08-28-2008, 10:40 AM

you 've an alternative, rebuild a new shadow file with user provided from /etc/passwd

Ask your users to reset their password.

Did you have a backup strategy ?
If yes, cool, restore the file and reboot the computer...

your_shadow03 · 08-28-2008, 11:17 PM

pwconv isnot there..I have no backup too..
Just want to know if copying the /etc/shadow file from remote system for default will do the trick.
If pwconv is not there..How to install that..pls help with right alternatives

your_shadow03 · 08-28-2008, 11:23 PM

can I use Rescue Disk Option and get back the /etc/shadow file?

Matir · 08-29-2008, 12:21 AM

/etc/shadow is a part of the system authentication system. It will need proper entries for each account on the system. Copying from another system would only work if they had identical users and passwords. Not having a backup of a system critical file is rather bad. pwconv is normally in /usr/sbin, at least on my systems.

your_shadow03 · 08-29-2008, 02:05 AM

I have only two users on my system for the project work.
Will copying from other system will do the needful?

your_shadow03 · 08-29-2008, 02:07 AM

http://www.cyberciti.biz/tips/recove...word-file.html

I went through the above method to get back the /etc/shadow file.
But one line confuses me:

[]
1) Mount partitions in read write mode
Since / is currently mounted read-only and many disk partitions have not been mounted yet, you must do the following to have a reasonably functioning system.
# mount -rw -o remount /

Code:

Do not forget to (re)mount your rest of all your partitions in read/write (rw) mode such as /usr /var etc (if any)

[/]
What does the last two lines says..Does it says I have to run the command repeatedly

Fantasio · 08-29-2008, 03:36 AM

As you suggest try to use a copy from a remote computer, but take care to inject common users into your new /etc/shadow

In that case, you 'll recover common users such as nobody, ftp, ... finally, the command passwd will create missing users into the shadow file.

your_shadow03 · 08-29-2008, 04:30 AM

Then Whats the Right Solution?I dont want to re-install as it contains some critical projects.

If it would have been filesystem crash then I would have think for the same but its normal users login issue.

Pls Help with any alternative.