login and password

techxkg1086 · 12-19-2007, 07:14 PM

After a seemingly sucessful install on the first boot from lilo while the computer is posting I eventually get to a login and password line for which I have no input. as I was never given a choice to create a user account. And I have been unsuccessful at guessing what the words would be. Help!

rootboy · 12-19-2007, 07:30 PM

Hmmm, maybe a new linux distro? "Insurmountable Linux" perhaps?

After booting up, try hitting Control-Alt-F2 to get to a separate login. From there just type "su". From there use the "adduser" command.

Otherwise... I think that you can add a switch (subcommand) before grub hands off the booting to the system.

You could look here (warning: shameless plug ahead):

http://usalug.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p...739&highlight=

If you have a second machine with linux on it, just copy the shadow password file and put it in your new machine's /etc/ directory.

techxkg1086 · 12-19-2007, 09:23 PM

I will get back to slackware sometime. I have a kde and a gnome desktop os picked out that I know will work on my hardware, with no hangups. They are in the oven right now.Thanks for the quick help and as they say "have fun". techxkg1086

onebuck · 12-20-2007, 07:49 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by techxkg1086

After a seemingly sucessful install on the first boot from lilo while the computer is posting I eventually get to a login and password line for which I have no input. as I was never given a choice to create a user account. And I have been unsuccessful at guessing what the words would be. Help!

When you preformed the setup you were requested to input a root password. When you first boot Slackware then at the login prompt answer 'root' and the password that you entered during the setup.

Once logged in then you can create a user account with the 'adduser' command.

onebuck · 12-20-2007, 08:12 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by rootboy

Hmmm, maybe a new linux distro? "Insurmountable Linux" perhaps?

After booting up, try hitting Control-Alt-F2 to get to a separate login. From there just type "su". From there use the "adduser" command.

Otherwise... I think that you can add a switch (subcommand) before grub hands off the booting to the system.

You could look here (warning: shameless plug ahead):

http://usalug.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.p...739&highlight=

If you have a second machine with linux on it, just copy the shadow password file and put it in your new machine's /etc/ directory.

Stick with 'SUSE'. You don't know what your talking about when it comes to Slackware. The OP needs to login initially as root to create a user via the adduser or useradd commands from the cli. Switching terminals and using su will get you nowhere but denied.

as for;

Quote:

Originally Posted by rootboy

If you have a second machine with linux on it, just copy the shadow password file and put it in your new machine's /etc/ directory.

One, the OP cannot get into his installation! Two, moving a shadow between machines is not a good habit to get into. Especially if more than one person is on the machine(s). Plus you are 'ASS'uming that the installs are identical Linux and users.

Quote:

excerpt from 'man shadow'

CAVEATS
These routines may only be used by the super user as access to the
shadow password file is restricted.

Quote:

excerpt from Shadow-Password-HOWTO-2;

The Shadow Suite solves the problem by relocating the passwords to another file (usually /etc/shadow). The /etc/shadow file is set so that it cannot be read by just anyone. Only root will be able to read and write to the /etc/shadow file. Some programs (like xlock) don't need to be able to change passwords, they only need to be able to verify them. These programs can either be run suid root or you can set up a group shadow that is allowed read only access to the /etc/shadow file. Then the program can be run sgid shadow.

By moving the passwords to the /etc/shadow file, we are effectively keeping the attacker from having access to the encoded passwords with which to perform a dictionary attack.

Additionally, the Shadow Suite adds lots of other nice features:

* A configuration file to set login defaults (/etc/login.defs)
* Utilities for adding, modifying, and deleting user accounts and groups
* Password aging and expiration
* Account expiration and locking
* Shadowed group passwords (optional)
* Double length passwords (16 character passwords) NOT RECOMMENDED]
* Better control over user's password selection
* Dial-up passwords
* Secondary authentication programs [NOT RECOMMENDED]

Installing the Shadow Suite contributes toward a more secure system, but there are many other things that can also be done to improve the security of a Linux system, and there will eventually be a series of Linux Security HOWTO's that will discuss other security measures and related issues.

Some of the information is dated but valid.