Linux root password mystery

[LoadWB]

Yes, there is.  And a good Google search should help, or searching the Red Hat support area.

In short, you will need a Red Hat boot CD, or any other "live" CD which can access the filesystem type used for the system (probably ext2 or ext3.)  Mount the main (root) partition, navigate to /etc and work with the passwd (and/or shadow?) file(s).  Make backups of the files, first.

I've had to do this on a few Solaris boxes, so I have that process down-pat.  Linux I've only had to do once, so my vision is a little hazy.  There's probably a better (read that as easier) way, something along the lines of the Offline Registry Edition for Windows, but for Linux.

HOWEVER, you might want the experience of loading your own operating system, anyway, even if you stick with Red Hat.  You can use a "live" CD to copy the files you want off the system and then reload.

[LoadWB]

skurk wrote:
Boot into runlevel 1.  When dumped into a shell, change the password and reboot (or continue the init process)

Holy Snapple... uh, so you "own" the box if you own it, huh.  Every step of the way in Solaris requires the root password.  Single user mode, kdmconfig, even breaking out of the boot process for filesystem maintenance (manual fsck, if you don't have it set in vfstab) requires the root password.  I'm disappointed. :huh:

Thanks for the nod to my TI screen.  That was also my first home computer, though my first computer (at school) was both the Apple ][+ and Atari 800XL (or 1200XL, I forget now... I think we got the 800s and the teacher used a 1200.)  I still have my TI around, with the PEB and some cards, all stock (no hacks) and I program it on occasion.  Mostly now it's become a thing of wonder for my friends' children... they LOVE the machine!