That is the right password!

Ric_ · 25-07-2007, 06:44 PM

I seem to have a slight problem on my laptop. I today tried to log in as root to do some bits and bobs only to be told that my password was wrong... I thought I must have typed it incorrectly but it seems that I did not :?

I know what the password should be... it has worked flawlessly until today!

I have tried to receover the password in single user mode but seems not to have had any effect!!!!

I really need some help with this... all ideas welcomed!

User3204 · 25-07-2007, 06:58 PM

I guess this is Linux, if you're referring to user "root".

If not, any damn admin user can reset a password in windows.

Usually when I screw up the password, which occurs more often than it should, I boot the machine onto a install / rescue CD. hunt around until I find the passwd file.

It's always in a different place when I come to find it, but if you check the distro help, they'll tell you where it should be.

copy it.

Then edit it, and change the password field to blank.

Guess what this does ?

Reboot, and then change the password.

..and people say that Windows is more secure than Linux.. pft

mullet_man · 25-07-2007, 07:04 PM

You not got num lock on?

contink · 25-07-2007, 07:05 PM

Just a thought...

Laptop => Number lock on?

Ric_ · 25-07-2007, 07:08 PM

Num lock is NOT on... otherwise half the letters in this post would be numbers.

I forgot to mention that my laptop has decided not to boot into Knoppix too.

User3204 · 25-07-2007, 07:18 PM

I really should pay more attention to which section people put these topics under.

The file you need to change is /etc/passwd

see here: http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/UserInfo/Re...les/passwd.htm

Geoff · 26-07-2007, 08:26 AM

no, it'll be /etc/shadow but the format is the same.

contink · 26-07-2007, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric_

Num lock is NOT on... otherwise half the letters in this post would be numbers.

I forgot to mention that my laptop has decided not to boot into Knoppix too.

Aye but was it on when you set the password?

"It's not daft if it works"

Ric_ · 26-07-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by contink

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric_

Num lock is NOT on... otherwise half the letters in this post would be numbers.

I forgot to mention that my laptop has decided not to boot into Knoppix too.

Aye but was it on when you set the password?

"It's not daft if it works"

Nope... however, I have done it again and this time the password took

Still some niggles but I'll get there I'm sure

contink · 27-07-2007, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

Nope... however, I have done it again and this time the password took

Still some niggles but I'll get there I'm sure

Hmm... user error? :twisted:

Glad you got it sorted...

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25-07-2007, 06:44 PM	#1
Ric_ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lancashire Posts: 5,436 Thanks: 26 Thanked 134 Times in 118 Posts Rep Power: 40	That is the right password! I seem to have a slight problem on my laptop. I today tried to log in as root to do some bits and bobs only to be told that my password was wrong... I thought I must have typed it incorrectly but it seems that I did not :? I know what the password should be... it has worked flawlessly until today! I have tried to receover the password in single user mode but seems not to have had any effect!!!! I really need some help with this... all ideas welcomed!

25-07-2007, 06:58 PM	#2
User3204 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wirral Posts: 339 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts Rep Power: 8	Re: That is the right password! I guess this is Linux, if you're referring to user "root". If not, any damn admin user can reset a password in windows. Usually when I screw up the password, which occurs more often than it should, I boot the machine onto a install / rescue CD. hunt around until I find the passwd file. It's always in a different place when I come to find it, but if you check the distro help, they'll tell you where it should be. copy it. Then edit it, and change the password field to blank. Guess what this does ? Reboot, and then change the password. ..and people say that Windows is more secure than Linux.. pft

25-07-2007, 07:04 PM	#3
mullet_man Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Somewhere in Oldham Posts: 377 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts Rep Power: 8	Re: That is the right password! You not got num lock on?

25-07-2007, 07:05 PM	#4
contink Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 2,654 Thanks: 101 Thanked 92 Times in 73 Posts Rep Power: 28	Re: That is the right password! Just a thought... Laptop => Number lock on?

		EduGeek.net Forums > Technical > *nix
That is the right password!

25-07-2007, 07:08 PM	#5
Ric_ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lancashire Posts: 5,436 Thanks: 26 Thanked 134 Times in 118 Posts Rep Power: 40	Re: That is the right password! Num lock is NOT on... otherwise half the letters in this post would be numbers. I forgot to mention that my laptop has decided not to boot into Knoppix too.

25-07-2007, 07:18 PM	#6
User3204 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Wirral Posts: 339 Thanks: 16 Thanked 21 Times in 19 Posts Rep Power: 8	Re: That is the right password! I really should pay more attention to which section people put these topics under. The file you need to change is /etc/passwd see here: http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/UserInfo/Re...les/passwd.htm

26-07-2007, 08:26 AM	#7
Geoff Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Fylde, Lancs, UK. Posts: 9,839 Thanks: 41 Thanked 217 Times in 198 Posts Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 64	Re: That is the right password! no, it'll be /etc/shadow but the format is the same.

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