root passwd and username
 

we have a linux -v 7.0 server networked with win98 pcs for last 6 years. it also has samba etc. woking well.

we recently wanted to add some new users and delete old users for obvious reasons. so when we contacted our service provider he told us to use the root log in and passwd he had provided but that log in and passwd is being refused. none of know how to use linux. and the service provider is not available.

since we know nothing of linux except the spelling, please help us.

can you tell us in more detail what you are doing to try to log on as root? Are you telnetting, sshing, vncing in? At a console, a web interface? Also, remember that in linux, the username and password would be case sensitive. If the root password needs to be reset, and you have physical access to the machine, it can be done fairly easily and we can walk you through that. When you do get logged in, we can help you add and delete users as well.

telnetting, at run command of win98's start menu.
yes i do know the case sensitivity part. and i have tried all possible (sensible not weird) permutations and combinations of the login and passwd given by them.
yes i do have physical access to the machine. but monitor and keyboard needs to be connected (no big deal). because the machine is used only as a server and is kept away from the users.
my com is also on the physical networking with the same server, and my user login works fine.

If you are attempting to access it remotely, it is possible it will not allow a root login, as a security measure. You would need to log in as a regular user and 'su' to root. If you do have the correct password that could be the reason.
Good Luck.