Re: Locked out! How to circumvent password urgently?

[Kent West <westk@acu.edu>]

Anthony Campbell wrote:

> I can't access my laptop because neither the user nor the root passwords
> work. I can only think I was hacked last night.
>
> I can't access via single user either.
>
> I can get into the system via knoppix. Are there any files in /etc I can
> delete in order to make the system accessible without a password? 
>
> This is REALLY urgent because I must use the machine tomorrow, so if all
> else fails I shall have to reinstall the system.
>  
Assuming you're using shadow passwords, edit /etc/passwd and remove the 
"x" on the root line. This essentially disables the shadow password for 
that account. Reboot the machine, log in as root. You need to fix the 
shadow password issue, and I don't recall all the details, but it's not 
particularly hard. Spend 5 minutes in google and you'll probably find 
specific instructions.

--
Kent West
westk@acu.edu