topic Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root in Operating System - HP-UX

HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:03:52 GMT

Hi All,
My root password expired over the weekend. When I came in this morning, I couldn't log on as root. I have the old password but can't get in to change it. When I use the web console, I just get a black screen with a little yellow triangle containing an ! at the top right. I have also connected a console to the back of the server but just have a blank screen there as well. I can log on to the server with my username but unfortunately, I don't have root access. Is there anyway of resetting the console card - its internal at the back of the server. Other than that, I will have to reboot tonight. Any help appreciated.

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

sujit kumar singh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:27:16 GMT

Hi

what is the model of the server and are you sure that you have logged on to the serial console for that.

if logged on to the serial console, make sure that you have the proper serial cable for that.

just logging to the console are you able to see the console MP> prompt as well as other menu items as VFP,SL,CO,CM etc

regards
sujit

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:19:20 GMT

Thanks, Sujit

You pointed me in the right direction. I found another console cable connected to an old HP server & now I'm getting the logon prompt. However, when I try to log in as root I get this message - account is disabled but console login is allowed.

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Torsten. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:28:26 GMT

Now the question is - what is the console?

For example on Integrity servers this could either be the serial port/MP or even VGA.

Please tell what server you have and where you get the prompt now.

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:39:42 GMT

Hi Sujit,

It's an RP5430.

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Torsten. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:49:43 GMT

OK, no VGA.

Get the "M" or "W" cable and connect your console to the "console" port. You should get the GSP prompt now. Do a "co" to get the console. Does this work?

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:56:14 GMT

Yes, I get the console login & can log in as a standard user but not root.

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

sujit kumar singh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:56:57 GMT

as pointed by torsten, from the MP Menu,
do a
co that will take you to the console

login as root as you see that though the account is disabled console login is pewrmitted, so login as root giving the password.

once logged on

can use SAM - go to user and groups -- users --- scroll and select root --- use activate

regards
sujit

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

sujit kumar singh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:01:00 GMT

hi

logging to console as root , thouigh the account is disabled, you shall need to gove the correct password.

what is exact error message as you try logging in as root ot the console?

please give the correct password fr root

regards
sujit

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:56:22 GMT

Thanks Sujit & Torsten,

I have found what the problem is. My password contains a Â£ symbol but the terminal goes backwards when I select the pound symbol. It doesn't display the symbol

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:15:05 GMT

Anyone know a way of entering the pound symbol?

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

sujit kumar singh — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:23:05 GMT

are you using putty, you can try writing the password on a notepad and copy and paste the same while prompted for password

regards
sujit

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Torsten. — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:23:21 GMT

Copy'n'paste?

Â£

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:33:55 GMT

I'm connected to the console port with a dumb terminal so can't do the copy & paste

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:56:01 GMT

Torsten,

I've got a laptop connected now. How did you create the Ã Â£. When I copy it, it comes as 2 chars.

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Dennis Handly — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:25:11 GMT

>My password contains a # symbol but the terminal goes backwards when I select the pound symbol.

You quote it with "\#".
If you read passwd(1), it cautions you about not using # or @.

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:34:28 GMT

Thanks, Dennis

I'll try it. Its the pound symbol but I guess it's the same

Tim

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Dennis Handly — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:40:12 GMT

>It's the pound symbol but I guess it's the same

Yes. For Americans, "#" IS the pound symbol. :-)
It uses the same ASCII char.

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Norm Diederich — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:27:28 GMT

Tim,

When you reboot, at the console boot into single user mode.

That will get the console logged in as root.

Once logged in, you can use passwd without the old password to enter a new root password.

Regards,
Norm

Re: HPUX 11 - Unable to log on to console to reset root

Tim O'Connell — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:12:46 GMT

Thanks to all who replied. I've assigned points. It's the first time I've used the pound (Â£) symbol in the password & definitely the last time. We have a policy, enforced by our auditors, of changing the password every 30 days so the pound happened to be the next symbol on the keyboard I used.
Again, thanks to all. I will reboot tonight.

Thanks,

Tim