failed on su to root

[hpuxhelp]

when tried to su to root, it said the account is deactivated.... but it is not..how can i fix this ?

[Jeff Schussele · Accepted solution]

Hi Dido,

Sounds as if someone/something has locked/deactivated root's account.
You'll have to gain access to root by some means (single-user mode as last resort) & run:

passwd -d root

This will unlock/reactivate the account & delete the current PW. So then login as root - just enter through the PW & set a new PW for the root account. DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOT ACCOUNT WITHOUT A PW - HUGE SECURITY RISK.

Rgds,
Jeff

[hpuxhelp]

i tried that command however, it said permission denied...

[Larry Reinhart]

Hi Dido,

What are the permissions of the passwd file?

Have a great HP day!
Larry

[hpuxhelp]

can't change the permission on passwd on single user?

[Jeff Schussele]

Hi (again),

You MUST be root or a root-equivalent user to change the root account in any way.
Do you have another system available that you can rlogin from as root? Or another root session open on another workstation? Else you'll have to reboot into single-user mode to do this.

Rgds,
Jeff

[avsrini]

Hi,
Go to system console and
login with root and give the
old password. It will allow
you to login, with message
account locked, but console login allowed.

One you logged in this you can give
/usr/lbin/modprpw -k root.
this will enable your account.

after this you can su to root.


Srini.