cant login as root
 

hello,

I've installed slack 12.2, and upgraded to the new kernel packages, but I didnt rebuild the initrd (!).

I reboot the machine, and get 'kernel panic'.

So I think I'll just get back in and fix it by using the slack dvd and

it works and I get to the login screen, but I cant login in with my root password, although I can login with my user. (I have been able to login as root before this).

is there anyway to get in as root without the password?

from single user mode (init 1) run "passwd" and change the password

[edit]
oops - that doesn't work...

you can follow this thread: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ht=root+passwd
[/edit]

And when you are logged in as user can you do su?

Have you tried the "init=/bin/bash" boot parameter?

If this gets you to bash prompt, you'll be "logged in" as root, and then you can change the password.

There are a few methods of doing this but I've only found one to work reliably. That is to boot using the Slackware install DVD. Make a mount directory "mkdir /mnt/root". Mount the installed Slackware hard disk,(lets say /dev/sda2), to the directory "mount /dev/sda2 /mnt/root". Chroot into the mounted directory with "chroot /mnt/root". Run "passwd". Reboot.

Other methods I have tried like tagging init=/bin/bash or single to the lilo prompt have problems for me. One is I can't get a lock on the password file when I try and write to it. The chroot seems to be the only reliable method.

I followed the advice in this thread:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...ht=root+passwd

particularly post #4, after following those instructions and bits of info from other posts, I then went into /hd/etc/shadow, and deleted the root password. I then rebooted using the slack 12.2 dvd with this:

boot: hugesmp.s root=/dev/hda2 rdinit=ro

and was able to login as root, and fix the inital problem.


I can eat my dinner now!

Thanks everyone :)