How to reset root password for Redhat machine

AndyWoung · 10-25-2010, 10:44 AM

Hi everyone,

Yesterday, when I was installing Redhat Enterprise 5.4 on a HP server, I asked myself "how can I regain my access to the server if I happen to forget the root password?" I knew there must be a way. I consulted with my friend "Google". He helped me resolved the issue. I'd like to share it here as my 1st post (too bad that I'm not allowed to paste screenshots)

1) Boot up the server, when you are at the "Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server..." entry, press "e".
2) Highlight the "kernel /vmlinuz...." line then press "e" again.
3) Type the word "single" to the end of the line (with an empty space before the word single). Press Enter.
4) Press "b"
5) System will boot. When you get the prompt "#", type "passwd" to enter in new password for root.
6) Reboot the system. Done

Hope it helps.

serafean · 10-25-2010, 10:54 AM

There is another way : boot from a liveCD/LiveUSB, chroot into the server system, and run passwd. Less elegant, but quite as deadly...