* Luckson Bwalya [Asst Head - System Dev & Sup] (Thu, Apr 26, 2001 at 05:16:15PM +0200)

Yesterday i sent a query on how to recover root password and i had several steps spelt out to recover the root passwd.

step 1 at lilo type linux init=/bin/sh this worked

step 2 change delete root passwd from /etc/passwd i could not achieve this. passwd file was read only.

step 3 what is the command for mounting / read-write ? I need this solution for without it i cannot change my /etc/passwd

mount -n -o remount,rw / (see /etc/init.d/boot) How about booting from CD and using the rescue CD option ? Then mount your disks (mount /dev/hda3 / or mount /dev/sdb1 / or ..) Kind regards, -- Gerhard den Hollander Phone +31-10.280.1515 Technical Support Jason Geosystems BV Fax +31-10.280.1511 (When calling please note: we are in GMT+1) gdenhollander@jasongeo.com POBox 1573 visit us at http://www.jasongeo.com 3000 BN Rotterdam JASON.......#1 in Reservoir Characterization The Netherlands This e-mail and any attachment is/are intended solely for the named addressee(s) and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, we request that you do not disseminate, forward, distribute or copy this e-mail message. If you have received this e-mail message in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and destroy the original message.

Follow this instructions: 1. at lilo type linux init=/bin/sh 2. Re-mount the root partition as rw: # mount -n -o remount,rw / 3. Edit the file /etc/shadow, as I mentioned in my first email, NOT /etc/passwd. The entry for root looks like this: root:f2xxDq3rv3SWo:10977:0:10000:::: Edit it so you delete the string between the first two colons. So, it should read: root::10977:0:10000:::: 4. Save the file and reboot. Raf

"Luckson Bwalya [Asst Head - System Dev & Sup]" wrote:

I have followed your steps as described below but the system keeps recovering the password for root and cannot access blank passwd..

You have to be more detailed. What do you mean by "recovering".

Note: the password for root in /etc/passwd is equally unaffected.

There was nothing you needed to edit in /etc/password. The entry for root should read: root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash Then entry for root in /etc/shadow should read: root::10977:0:10000:::: Rafael

What i mean by recovery the password for root is that it is reverting to the old status as though i had not changed anything.. When in actual fact the saving is working ok. To ensure that i have saved the changes i am editing the shadow file again and it shows it in an updated status. Can you help with these clarification... luckson

"Luckson Bwalya [Asst Head - System Dev & Sup]" wrote:

What i mean by recovery the password for root is that it is reverting to the old status as though i had not changed anything.. When in actual fact the saving is working ok.

That means you didn't remount your disk read-write properly.

To ensure that i have saved the changes i am editing the shadow file again and it shows it in an updated status.

Can you help with these clarification...

After you edit and save /etc/shadow issue a: # cat /etc/shadow | grep root so you can verify that your changes were saved. If you don't see your changes, that means that re-mounting your root filesystem did not work and you edited the file while the root fs is still read only. What does your /etc/shadow show after you edit and save it? Are you typing this? # mount -n -o remount,rw / This is assuming that /etc is in the same partition as /. What are the partitions and mount points of your system? You should check that you have re-mounted the filesystem rw before editing /etc/shadow? Use these commands: # cd /etc # echo writable > deleteme # cat deleteme # rm deleteme If you are able to create and delete the file, then you are in good shape. What editor are you using to edit /etc/shadow? are you proficient in it? Remember, the idea is to remove the password entry for root in /etc/shadow, just get that done. If you still have problems post detailed descriptions of what is happening and please answer the above questions. Rafael