topic unlock root in Linux in Operating System - Linux

unlock root in Linux

S.S. — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:12:54 GMT

Hi Experts,

How to unlock the root account in Linux?

Thank you!

Re: unlock root in Linux

Jean-Yves Picard — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:33:11 GMT

Hello,

which Linux ? (redhat, suse, debian)

what do you mean by unlock ?

If you have root passwd, you can usually do a

su - root

If you don't have root passwd, only option is to boot from a CD and enter rescue mode.

Jean-Yves Picard

Re: unlock root in Linux

Matti_Kurkela — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:19:24 GMT

This is a Frequently Asked Question.

When needing answers to frequently asked questions, Google is your friend.

The first hit in a Google search with "redhat root password" points to a RedHat manual, which includes a step-by-step procedure:

http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=redhat+root+password&l=1

MK

Re: unlock root in Linux

S.S. — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:45:15 GMT

Thanks for your suggestions.

i want to know how to enable or activate the root account in RedHat Linux if the root password is disabled/locked.

In HP-UX we usually go to MP prompt which can able to logon even though the root password is locked and go to sam; can re-activate the root password.

Thanks.

Re: unlock root in Linux

avizen9 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:00:49 GMT

Hello SS
better way is to reboot system in single user mode and update passwod file...

Re: unlock root in Linux

Kapil Jha — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 03:12:12 GMT

It actually depends upon the setup SS, I have seen customer where ur root passwd is locked even if u try it 3 times on console on HPUX.

What kind of password setup you have?

BR,
Kapil+

Re: unlock root in Linux

Alan_152 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:08:14 GMT

For RedHat, this is the procedure for changing an unknown root password: http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/enterprise/RHEL-4-Manual/step-guide/s1-q-and-a-root-passwd.html

Re: unlock root in Linux

Steven E. Protter — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:03:20 GMT

Shalom,

You can boot the system with the power switch and then intervene on the boot prompt and go into single user mode. This must be done at console.

Press a key, down arrow to a kernel, edit the kernel boot line and add single to the end.

Enter, hit b to boot.

passwd

Then reboot to normal mode.

Or you can boot off media and null out the root password in /etc/shadow.

SEP