SUSE Linux password problem

[d1bble]

i dont seem to be having much luck lately with Computers..

Ive installed the 5 disc SUSE-Linux package, but it wont let me log on.

Can i change my password? is there an easy way in?

[timsta]

Um, no.


Been a while, but I believe the linux command 'root-me' or 'rm' may work. Can't remember the parameters.

[krispy]

Unsure if you can still do it on a modern package with the fancy bootloaders like grub etc., but you might be able to start the system up in single user mode, or runlevel 1, which effectively boots you straight in as root. Might be something like "linux 1" at the command line bootloader prompt.

Not sure if that's much use - I've not played with SuSe much.....

Good luck

Kris..

[zaktoo]

If you can pass parameters to the kernel at boot time, and if your kernel is set up to allow this parameter to function properly, type "linux single" when prompted at the boot stage. You will have to press a key (sometimes tab) to be able to pass these options.

A better bet is to boot off cd, and make the password for root a known value in the /etc/shadow file. This can be acheived by making a password on another box and copying the value from /etc/shadow for that particular user across to the forgotten password box.

Here's an example:

root:***long bunch of seemingly random characters***:12923:0:99999:7:::

You need to replace the bit between the first 2 : s - the ***long bunch of seemingly random characters*** EXACTLY as they are from a known password machine to the other one...

If you need more detailed instructions, shout or google.

HTH

Ciao

Zak

Edit: of course, your installation disk very probably has a rescue mode. D'oh!

>> Edited by zaktoo on Friday 24th February 00:21

[fredf]

I'm not sure about suse, but some distributions still ask for the root password when booting into single user mode.
Message me for a way round this if you get really stuck.

[zumbruk]

d1bble said:

i dont seem to be having much luck lately with Computers.. Ive installed the 5 disc SUSE-Linux package, but it wont let me log on. Can i change my password? is there an easy way in?

1) It should have asked you for a root password when you were installing it. You did make a note of it, didn't you?

2) When you say "wont let me log in", what *exactly* happens when you try? Don't forget that Linux is very case sensitive.

[d1bble]

Thanks Guys, sorry for the late reply.

I reinstalled SUSE and it then asked me for a password and user set up.

(cant remember it asking me the first time around, although i did have a few beers that night)

thanks again, all your help is much appreciated!