Forgot OpenVMS System password

[shashi kanth]

DS15, OpenVMS 7.3.2


Followed this procedure to reset the system password. (http://labs.hoffmanlabs.com/node/204)

1. b -flags 0,1
2. SET/STARTUP OPA0:
3. SET WINDOW_SYSTEM 0
4. SET WRITESYSPARAMS 0
5. CONTINUE
6. SET DEFAULT SYS$SYSTEM:
7. RUN SYS$SYSTEM:AUTHORIZE
8. MODIFY SYSTEM /PASSWORD=newpassword
9. EXIT


But at step 7, whenever i execute the "MC AUTHORIZE" or "RUN SYS$SYSTEM:AUTHORIZE", i am getting an error and the bellow message will be displayed and i am not getting $ prompt again.

mc authorize
mc authorize
%DCL-W-ACTIMAGE, error activating image SECURESHRP
-CLI-E-IMGNAME, image file ASTON$DKA0:[SYS0.SYSCOMMON.][SYSLIB]SECURESHRP.EXE;1
-SYSTEM-F-PROTINSTALL, protected images must be installed
SYSTEM job terminated at 19-APR-2010 15:04:06.28

Accounting information:
Buffered I/O count: 59 Peak working set size: 2528
Direct I/O count: 39 Peak virtual size: 172096
Page faults: 107 Mounted volumes: 0
Charged CPU time: 0 00:00:00.01 Elapsed time: 0 00:00:06.10
%%%%%%%%%%% OPCOM 19-APR-2010 15:15:52.43 %%%%%%%%%%%


Please anyone can tell me how to solve this issue, and/or is there any other way to reset the system password ?

Thanks.

[Andy Bustamante · Accepted solution]

Insert steps 5.1 ...

Once at the OPA0: Console $ Prompt
$ SET NOON
$ DEFINE/SYSTEM/EXEC DECW$IGNORE_WORKSTATION TRUE
$ SPAWN
$ @SYS$SYSTEM:STARTUP

Noted in the Hoffman Labs link.

Alternate method, note your system device name, boot from OpenVMS CD, set default to device:[VMS$COMMON.SYSEXE] and run authorize. This assumes the logical SYSUAF is not set, if it is, set your default to the value of SYSUAF.

[Volker Halle]

Hi,

first of all, ALWAYS issue a SPAWN command as the first DCL command - when working in this environment. This will create a subprocess, in which you can continue to work. If that subprocess fails or is terminated, you're still left with a DCL prompt and you can continue your session after another SPAWN - without having to boot again.

To install all required OpenVMS images, you can do what VMS$INITIAL-050_VMS.COM is doing:

$define /user sys$input sys$manager:vmsimages.dat
$Install := $install/nocomm/translate
$Install
$Delete/Symbol install

Volker.

[P Muralidhar Kini]

Hi Shashi,

You need to use the SPAWN command so that a new subprocess gets created. If something goes wrong in the subprocess, the subprocess will terminate and you will get the $ prompt again.

In the steps that you have followed, insert a SPAWN command at step 6 and
then try out the subsequent commands.

For different ways to boot the system, you can refer to
http://biophyrs.bp.dal.ca/OpenVMS/83final/ba322_90045/apbs06.html
- Booting Without a User Authorization File

Regards,
Murali

[shashi kanth]

Thank you All. With your help, the problem is solved.

[Hoff]

Within the cited webpage exists the "Once at the OPA0: Console $ Prompt â ¦" section. Which appears to have been skipped here.