Lost Root Password

ThaMainframe · 11-10-2004, 03:53 PM

Hello All,

I have a big issue. I'm a networking assistant and have recently run into problems with Mandrake Linux 9.1. I somehow managed to forget the root password. Is there any way to reset the password by editting the passwd file. I tried using vI to edit the file but came out with no result. If you can do this via vI, how do you do it? Step by step instructions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time,

ThaMainframe

david_ross · 11-10-2004, 03:57 PM

You could do it but it would mean having write access to /etc/shadow which you probably don't have unless you have a suitable sudo user.

The best option is just to bring the system up in single user mode. How you do this depends on the bootloader you are using, there are plenty of examples on this site if you search.

ThaMainframe · 11-10-2004, 05:17 PM

Using Lilo

Need step by step instruction plz.

ThaMainframe

Mystified · 11-10-2004, 05:24 PM

Do you have a live cd you can use or another linux distro installed? If so you can chroot into Mandrake and change your root password. At your root prompt type passwd and it will prompt you for a new password.

penguin4 · 11-12-2004, 05:27 PM

mystified; life saver u. been looking for this long time. patience paid off thanks.
& thank you thamainframe for bringing up ? ,me too about a yr achingly putin up with w. whimper.. saved at last.