Howto: Reset Lost Root Password

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... is it worth finding ?

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For other readers, a clarification would be helpful if no user/password known...

I stumbled here as I have inherited linux laptops at work and previous admin took root password with him.

I more or less followed the discussion here after reading http://forums.suselinuxsupport.de/in...howtopic=14200.

Sounds straightforward enough as I did this sort of thing with Solaris many moons ago.

However, as I've rusted a bit since then, I'm not 100% clear as to why the su has to be
made from an ordinary user - which in my case I won't know either and the original posting seemed to ignore as a problem.
When I try this, I'll resort to vi a new entry in passwd and shadow for some user foo if I can'r just log in as root back in non-recovery mode.
I can feel the shadow of group ids and other long-forgotten gotcha's looming nevertheless, it will be fun re-discovering some old tricks.
I'll revist here if my mission stumbles.

Mark

I'm not 100% clear as to why the su has to be
made from an ordinary user - which in my case I won't know either

shrug
If I would write: "login as a root and then run passwd", someone would as similar question: why login as a root if you can su?

Anyway, I don't like to be logged as a root from obvious reasons. Manuals like this assume that user know what he/she is doing. I don't see any point to explain that one can login like root or su to root or use all possible variations of each step in the howto

Originally posted by scope51@Jun 20 2005, 10:31 AM
One correction (but important).

* * * if you see root::K:12856:0:10000:::: (this is an example )

* * * * * not root:k@jheuhdiewuhedw:K:12856:0:100000

* * * * * * * * * * * then {


When you boot your SUSE box with rescue cd, then you need manually mount your real root filesystem (beacuse mounted one belongs to rescue cd).

Mounting.
ide hdd: mount -o rw /dev/hda<root partition number> /<mountpoint>
scsi hdd: mount -o rw /dev/sda<root partition number> /<mountpoint>

After that you need to edit mounted <mount poin>/etc/passwd and <mountpoint>/etc/shadow files to reset your SUSE box root password.

---> vi /etc/passwd
----> vi /etc/shadow

reboot.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * }

[snapback]97437[/snapback]

There are a few different ways and mine may not be the best but it works.

Here's the complete syntax:

Grub Boot Loader (assumes no grub password on boot loader)
SuSE8/9

On grub bootup screen:
1). Edit the kernel load line and add linux init=/bin/bash at end of line
2). Continue to boot
3). At #prompt enter:
mount -o remount,rw /
cp -p passwd passwd.old (just in case)
vipw
remove 'x' in second column
wq!
mount -o remount,ro /
4). Reboot the system
5). Username: root
Leave password blank
6). Resync password file with shadow file (if applicable)
pwconv
7). passwd root
8). Change password to new one
9). Login as a normal user and su - to test the root password
10). Remove passwd.old if you're truly paranoid

It asks me for a password when i load from the DVD and type in #root....

5). Username: root
Leave password blank[/b]

Hi ...

I really confused with all the suggestion listed above. Hope someone will look at my problem and help me to find the solution.

1. I forgot the root password.
2. Unfortunately, i don't have the normal user.

I boot in rescue system. And tried edit the passwd and shadow file as suggested. But cannot login as user with a blank password. Beside i don't have the normal user so i don't no what to do. Some of my friends told that might be the server has been hardened (protected).

So help me. Please ...

You don't need user accout to reset root password.
when you see GRUB menu selection (first screen before booting), scroll down to Failsafe and change/add
init 1
then press enter
this will give you single mode without root password but with root priviledges. Mount /etc and follow howto.


Now, it is really, really stupid to use root account as default
sorry but there is nothing I can do about it. This is stupid.

Now, it is really, really stupid to use root account as default
sorry but there is nothing I can do about it. This is stupid.[/b]

I agree with broch 100% here. In fact, I'm tempted to say he is almost being too kind. Its really stupid to run one's PC as root all the time, for a host of reasons.

Frankly, if it was me, I would be hard pressed to offer any help, given how silly it is to operate as root all the time. There must be dozens of posts noting that it is not a bright thing to do, and practically every beginner's linux book notes this fact.

My "hat" is off to broch here, for his still showing some patience in still making a post that gives you a solution (and not forcing you to look it up yourself).

My motherboard recently died, and when I installed the new one, I found my root password didn't work (for whatever reason). I tried the above methods without sucess. (Not trying to argue; it's just what happened.) On Novell's website, I found this page. It worked like a charm first time, no problems. I offer it here as another alternative. In case the link doesn't work or dies, I'll paste the article here. (FYI; I used it on Suse 10.1)

How To: Recover the Linux root password

This document (3003803) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

environment:

Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 10
Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 9
Novell SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 8

situation:

Lost or forgot the root password on Linux server

resolution:

1. Boot server from the installation CD.

2. Then select any installation method.

3. At the first installation screen when selecting language, press ctrl-alt-f2 to open a virtual console.

4. Type fdisk -l to list your partitions. Locate the Linux root partition.

5. Type mount /dev/hd? /mnt (where /dev/hd? is the Linux root partition)

6. Enter chroot /mnt.

7. Now enter passwd root and reset the root password.

8. Type exit. Unmount the filesystem with umount /mnt.

9. Reboot the system.

additional notes:

document:
Document ID: 3003803
Creation Date: 2006-05-26 14:09:15.0
Modified Date: 2006-05-26 14:09:15.0
Novell Product: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

disclaimer:

The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.
Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information. [/b]