Re: Reset root password

From: test (test_at_example.com)
Date: 05/23/05 

Date: Mon, 23 May 2005 13:12:09 -0700

Bit Twister wrote:

> On Thu, 19 May 2005 11:21:46 -0400, partze wrote:
>> I lost my root password. Running Fedora Core 2 and I'm trying to
>> figure out how to reset it. I can login locally as a regular user.
>> Is there a way that i can reset the root password from the system
>> without using 3rd party tools?
>
>
> Depends on which boot loader you use
>
> ----------------- using grub ----------------------
> When at the grub menu
>
> Hit e to get to the edit mode
> You should be on the Kernel line containing /vmlinuz
> Hit e again and add a
> space single
> to the end of line and hit Enter key. Example:
> kernel (hd0,4)/vmlinuz 1 root=/dev/hda9 mem=128M single
> then b to boot
>
> You then come to the sh-nnn# prompt.
>
> When you "exit" the system will continue booting.
>
> If single does not work, try a 1 instead.
>
> ---------------- using lilo -----------------------
>
> Hit Esc or Tab key at lilo prompt then
>
> linux 1 or linux single
>

Another method that forces a password on all consoles during any boot is to
simply modify inittab and add/edit these to lines.

d:3:initdefault:
~~:S:wait:/sbin/sulogin

note the double tilde. Basically what this does is force the requirement of
any legal logon to access the system even when in single user mode. You
still need to lock down the bios and restrict physical access to the case
in order to prevent a system boot with boot media.

That gets you involved in using an Encrypted File System, which is something
I've yet to learn enough about to even think of implementing. 

-- 
A fatal Operating Error Has Occurred and Windows must reboot. Your ships
atmosphere has been purged for your protection during this reboot.

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