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Re: Messed up root



On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 07:37:39PM -0600, green wrote:
> Gary Roach wrote at 2012-11-26 18:43 -0600:
> > I've done the unthinkable. I accidentally changed root to qroot in
> > my /etc/passwd file and then proceeded to log out of root. All of
> > the files in /etc were changed to owner qroot and the root password
> > doesn't work any more. I have a new Knoppix CD and a new Debian
> > network install CD. Can I use either of these to edit the passwd
> > file and correct the problem. If so, how.
> 
> Probably either Knoppix or the Debian CD will work.  With Knoppix, just boot 
> from the CD, mount the partition on which is /etc, and edit the file.
> 
> Commands used will be approximately (you will need to use the correct block 
> device):
> # fdisk -l
> # mkdir /mnt/tmp
> # mount /dev/sda1 /mnt/tmp

I *think* it might be necessary to use
# mount -o remount,rw /dev/sda1 /mnt/tmp

> # nano /mnt/tmp/etc/passwd
> # umount /mnt/tmp
> # reboot



-- 
"If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people
who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the 
oppressing." --- Malcolm X


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