topic forgot root password in Linux in Operating System - Linux

forgot root password in Linux

logaraman — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:07:39 GMT

I have installed RHEL ES-4 in a server and have forgotten the root password. I have tried going into the single user mode and appened the OS as "ro root=LABEL=/ single" . but i get the below error and am not able to go into single user mode.. the error is "Kernel Panic- not syncing: Attempted to kill init" ...

Any suggestions pls

Re: forgot root password in Linux

debian111 — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 00:49:13 GMT

Hi,

find some live linux distribution like trophix ( my favorite ) knnopix, or some else, reboot your machine and put live cd in cdrom, when system boot up find disks on your mashine..
fdisk -l and ( you know where it is located ) edit /etc/passwd for your RH server ( this is place for users passwords on Debian and I think it is similar on RH, ) I mean there is line for root something like

root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash

edit this line ( using nano, vim ....your choice) you should erase x in this line ... save exit ....reboot machine ( take out live cd from cdrom before booting ) and I think now it wont ask you for root password .....

::)))

Do not forget to change root password and do not forget it again ::)

Regards

Debian111

Re: forgot root password in Linux

Senthil Prabu.S_1 — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 23:28:40 GMT

Hi,
The extact procedure that has to be followed to change the root password, if you lost the password is given in the below link;

http://aplawrence.com/Linux/lostlinuxpassword.html

HTH,
Prabu.S

Re: forgot root password in Linux

Steven E. Protter — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:55:30 GMT

Shalom,

Boot off rescue or a cd based distribution and null out the password field for root.

Then reset and remember the root password.

SEP

Re: forgot root password in Linux

James G. Brown III — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 08:58:02 GMT

Make sure there is a space between the ending / and the word single, S, or 1, on the line beginning with kernel otherwise you will get this panic msg.