Help... no password to log into Linux

[IBhacknU]

I've aquired an older 166MHz computer with Linux on it. I'm not sure what version of Linux it is, but it's asking for a password after it boots up.

I am new to Linux and need to find out how to over-ride this password, or reset the root password?

How can I go about doing such. Can I use a boot-up disk to access the file structure (such as Windows).

Any help is greatly appreciated!

THANKS!

 

[rahvin]

Your only bet would be to either:

Reinstall the operating system.

Go in at Runlevel 5(?, not sure if this is right, you wanna go in real time) and manually change the root password.

The first option will work, not sure on the second but I've heard it's possible if things are set up right.

 

[Ariel]

Since my goal is to learn linux, re-installing the OS is an option.

If I decided to install from CD, how will I even be able to access the drive if I can only get to a password prompt?

 

[FUBAR]

there is another option.

If you have lilo installed, you can usually type "linux single" at the lilo prompt and you will be logged in as root. Once in there you can type passwd to change your root password.

 

[IBhacknU]

^^^^^^
Whoops!

That was me. The other lady who works here logs in through IE. I'm suppose to use Nutscape.

 

[rahvin]

"linux single" is single user mode (which is what I was thinking of). You should be able to do a passwd root from single user mode.

If you plan on reinstalling you will generally need a linux CDROM and the boot disk they provide to launch the install. See the README for the distribution.

 

[IBhacknU]

Thanks!

turns out contacting the old IS person did the trick. They remembered the password.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Just to let you know. If you ever do lose or forget the password (or a hacker changes it on you), you can always do the following.

Boot from a boot disk or from a boot CD.
Mount the files system to a mount point (you need to know what the mount point was so you can mount it, i.e. HDA2 etc.).
cd /etc/flat_files
vi shadow
In this file you will see a line that has "root:/" and an encrypted password. Just delete the encrypted part of that line.
Then vi passwd and do the same thing.
Reboot the system from the harddrive (not the boot floppy that was just used).
Type in root for username, and just hit enter when it asks for the password. Be sure to change the root password once you are in otherwise if you hook up to the net, anyone will be able to access the system.