How to change the root password in Linux!

  08 Oct 2007 by TipsoSaurus


What will happen if you lose your password for “root”,since “root” is the God of LINUX ?You will never get it back but you can reset the password easily. For that, you have to boot in single user mode,it depends on your boot loader.

  1. Grub : Select the Linux system you want from the graphical menu and then press ‘e’,you will find yourself in a mini editor,there you can make changes in boot commands.Move the cursor to end of the boot command line,add a space there and either a “1″ or word “single”.Then enter press Enter and ‘ b’ to boot this line.
  2. Lilo : Hit any key but Enter at the boot menu.If that take to a command prompt type linux single and press Enter boot system again.

Now your password is set to blank which is dangerous so don’t forget to reset it again.

I have tested it with Linux versions like Redhat ,Fedora core and Knopix.But many new versions like SUSE wont let you start with out providing root password, for more details .

2 Responses so far

  1. [...] unknown wrote an interesting post today!.Here’s a quick excerptWhat will happen if you lose your password for “rootâ€?,since “rootâ€? is the God of LINUX ?You will never get it back but you can reset the password easily. For that, you have to boot in single user mode,it depends on your boot loader. … [...]

  2. Nirmal October 9, 2007 8:53 pm

    I have not used Linux much, but now planning to install a new version coming week.

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