topic Re: retrieve root password in Operating System - Linux

retrieve root password

khilari — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:24:03 GMT

Hi guys, actually when i was loading red hat i forgot to put in the passoword for root. Now, i just have one user on it, but i cant seem to get the password for root. How do i get it.
Thanks

Re: retrieve root password

Ivan Ferreira — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 18:59:56 GMT

You must reboot the computer and start in single user mode, see this thread for detailed information:

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1013650

Re: retrieve root password

skt_skt — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 21:05:42 GMT

good threads....

Re: retrieve root password

Emil Velez — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 17:39:09 GMT

You could compile "John the Ripper" as a user and get a copy of the password file and let it run for a few hours if you think you did not use a complex password.

Re: retrieve root password

Steven E. Protter — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 01:47:42 GMT

Shalom,

If you have followed password complexity guidelines, "John the ripper" or crack may be unable to retrieve password for root.

Also, obtain permission from management prior to trying such programs, they are not permitted by many companies.

Single user mode is a much better, approved way to proceed. Requires of course console access.

SEP

Re: retrieve root password

dirk dierickx — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:38:45 GMT

if you forgot to put in the root password during install, shouldn't it just be blank?

Re: retrieve root password

Rob Leadbeater — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:50:15 GMT

I'm fairly certain RedHat forces you to enter something for the root password during installation.

Although "RedHat" is quite a broad term...

Cheers,

Rob

Re: retrieve root password

Paul Cross_1 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:56:01 GMT

It is also unlikely that you can get the passwd information for JTR to crack. The passwd is usually located in the shadow file which is not readable by a regular user.

Re: retrieve root password

Nuwan Alwis — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:19:07 GMT

Hi,
Wel as i know you cant get ur old password back but if you sstart ur linux box in single user mode you can reset ur root passwd. this not helps you to get in to a system where it is protected with boot loder password.
any way if you want to know how to do it from single user mode reply me and ill give you the steps.

Nuwan J

Re: retrieve root password

khilari — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:12:58 GMT

sure, let me know.

Re: retrieve root password

sabal — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:17:22 GMT

Hi Khilari,

Booting the machine onto single user mode and changing the password is the best method.

Following is the steps.

1.When the reboot the server
2. use arrow key to move up / down when the grub window loads
3. In the window go to the second and press e to edit.
4. when you are in the edit mode, type text "single" at the end the line
5. ESC from the window
6. press b to boot the machine.

Re: retrieve root password

sabal — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 07:36:14 GMT

Continuing to my early reply,

Machine will boot into single user mode...there you can change the password for root.

Re: retrieve root password

sandeep mathur — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:47:39 GMT

first reboot the system and go to single user mode by pressing E for edit and then press B for boot and then enter the passwd.

Re: retrieve root password

sandeep mathur — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:21 GMT

now you have to change the password in the single user mode only. when you reboot the system press E for edit and then B for boot then change your password in the single user mode.

Re: retrieve root password

Sitarama.H.N — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:59:12 GMT

Reboot the system hold the down arrow key for the menu option, press e to edit and go to the second option and give a space and type 1 for single user mode and press b to boot.
after reboot just type root for login and enter for password.
after entering just type passwd with a space root and enter.
It will ask for a new password and a conformation password.
just type the same password
your problem will be solved

Re: retrieve root password

dileepkumarhr — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:33:26 GMT

when this problem you first reboot your computer then you go to single user mode by press E button(edit) then edit your passwd

Re: retrieve root password

dileepkumarhr — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 07:34:22 GMT

Hi Khilari

when this problem you first reboot your computer then you go to single user mode by press E button(edit) then edit your passwd