🚀 go-pugleaf

Adam Carheden wrote:
> 
> Okay, I have no idea how, but my root password no longer works.  Can I
> simply boot from a floppy and replace the root entry in /etc/shadow with
> one from a computer who's root password I do know?

From Linux, 2nd Edition, chapter 6:

"...boot your computer with the installation diskettes. Use mkdir to
create a new directory (on the RAM disk of the installation directory)
and mount the partition on which your Linux system is located into this
directory: 

mount -t ext2 /dev/xxx/dir

Now you can access the file /dir/etc/passwd or /dir/etc/shadow and
delete the root password...If you want to prevent other users from
changing the root password in the same way, you must set the boot
sequence in the BIOS of your computer to C:, A: (thus booting with the
diskette is no longer possible) and secure the BIOS with a password,
which this time you must definitely not forget..."

Well that is as close to official as you can get, with more detail than
you probably need. But in case any one else (including me) loses their
password, it will be nice to have the info handy.

Xylen

-- 
  __^__                                __^__ 
 ( ___ )------------------------------( ___ ) 
  | / | This message has been brought  | \ | 
  | / | to you by the language C and   | \ | 
  |___| the number F                   |___| 
 (_____)------------------------------(_____)