Recover root password

[hangyu]

sorry to ask this question again , i have already google it but still can't do it ,

I can go to GSP> mode , and try hpux -is and set_parms , but it still don't accept this command , can advise what is wrong ? how can I recover the root password ?

[MarkSyder]

Using hpux -is you should be able to change the password. If you really want to recover the old password, you need a password-cracking utility. The only one I know of is John the Ripper. I ran it once and it took three days - if you value your time, go into single-user mode and set a new password.

Mark Syder (like the drink but spelt different)

[Pete Randall]

Why would you be running set_parms and what do you mean by "recover" the root password? You're booting into single user mode so that you are already logged in as root and can then run the passwd command to change root's password to something you can remember.

If, by "recovering" the password, you mean how can you tell what it used to be, you can't.


Pete

[G V R Shankar]

Hi

At ISL prompt run hpux -is

It will take you to single user mode.

run passwd to change the root passwod.

If it say command not found, mount /usr filesystem.

Cheers,

Ravi.

[hangyu]

thx replies,

I meant recover password is get back the lost root password , I input ctr-b to enter GSP> mode , is it single user mode ? how to go to ISL> mode ? thx

[Torsten.]

- boot the system
- go to the console
( GSP> co )
- interrupt the boot process and you will get this:

...
Main Menu: Enter command or menu > bo pri
Interact with IPL (Y, N, or Cancel)?> y

Booting...
Boot IO Dependent Code (IODC) revision 1


HARD Booted.

ISL Revision A.00.38 OCT 26, 1994

ISL> hpux -is


This will bring you tho a shell in single user mode. Now type "passwd".


There is not really a way to "recover" your password.

[G V R Shankar]

While the system is rebooting, it will prompt

To discontinue, press any key within 10 seconds.

Press enter, at the BCH Prompt type

BO PRI

Interacte with ISL? Type Y

This way you go to ISL Prompt.

GSP is not ISL prompt.

Cheers,

Ravi

[G V R Shankar]

Sorry, you can set a new password, but you cannot recover the old password.

[hangyu]

thx all replies, I hv already changed it.

But I have one off-topic question , what is the difference of GSP and ISL mode ? thx

[Prashant Bahuguna]

Why do you need to set set_parms in single user mode ? First get your root password fixed and then login in normal mode to set the parameters. You cannot recover your old password, except through some password craking utilities. To assign new password to root do the following -

1)Interrupt server during booting.
2)BO PRI
3)INTERACT WITH IPL > YES
4)HPUX -IS
5)WHEN YOU SEE THE # PROMPT GIVE PASSWD COMMAND AND SET THE NEW PASSWORD.

regards,
PB.

[Torsten.]

It is totally different.

Once your systm has done all the selftests, you will see the BCH (Boot console handler) - the menu.
Now you can boot something. Let's say the primary disk. This will take you to the ISL.

ISL is the Initial System Loader.

This tool can start something, like the OS loader (hpux - this loads the kernel of hp-ux) or the offline diagnostics environment (ODE)).



The GSP (or MP/ILO on newer machines) is like a small PC taking care of the box. It is checking the box (fans, power supplies etc., collects logs and provide you access to the console.


Clear enough?

[Torsten.]

If your problem is solved now, please read

http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#33

[Dennis Handly]

>G V R Shankar: but you cannot recover the old password.

More accurately, you can put the old password back by saving and restoring the passwd entry but you can't find out the cleartext version. :-)