[NTLUG:Discuss] ARGH! Root password lost

[Shane Wickson]

On Tue, 18 Jan 2000, Kathleen Weaver wrote:

> Short of reinstalling Linux, is there a way to change the root password?
> 
> I run the SuSE 6.1 distro if that helps.

Boot to a rescue disk.  Mount your hard drive under
/mnt.  (vi|pico|emacs) your /mnt/etc/(passwd|shadow) file, and remove the
root password.  Then reboot and log in root with no password.

Anyone with machine access can get root access.

If you don't have a rescue disk, you can download a Slackware boot and
rescue combination that works wonders.  I'm sure the other distros
providee them too.

Shane