FWIW, it appears that Knoppix handles the password issue and keeps it to itself. You seem to be able to get where you need to go but you have to do it the way Knoppix wants. I am neutral on the issue, but likely going to abandon it for SUSE soon. John Ferrell http://DixieNC.US ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Ferrell" To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 2:21 PM Subject: Re: [OT].Knoppix Password > Thanks, I will try to make use of the information... > > John Ferrell > http://DixieNC.US > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Danny Sauer" > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." > Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 11:41 AM > Subject: Re: [OT].Knoppix Password > > >> John wrote regarding '[OT].Knoppix Password' on Tue, Nov 29 at 10:29: >>> A valid question, but also to test posting style. >>> I was making good progress with my Knoppix-Debian system (with the help >>> of the guys at Comp.OS.LINUX.SETUP) and then I misplaced the password. >>> The system resides on a hard drive. >>> >>> I am pretty sure I remember the right password, but at this point I am >>> beginning to wonder. >>> I have been plundering around everywhere so if it is possible to corrupt >>> the PW, I might have done it. >>> I have been focused on SAMBA and discovered the problem while trying to >>> update the Conf file. >> >> You may well have screwd up the passwd file. The easiest way to >> recover a generic Linux system would be: >> >> * boot from a rescue system (the install media may well work, you >> should have a bootable system on a CD if you've installed Knoppix) >> * mount the root partition on /mnt (probably "mount /dev/hda1 /mnt") >> * open up /etc/shadow in a text editor >> * the root entry should be on the first line. The encrypted password >> is the string of characters between the first colon and the second >> colon. Just erase all of those chars, making sure to leave the >> colons. That will reuslt in the root account having a blank >> password. >> * reboot the machine from the hard drive as usual >> * log in as root and reset the password using passwd >> >> In the future, know that you rarely have to touch /etc/passwd and >> /etc/shadow - use useradd/userdel/usermod to change things in there. >> >> It's possible that something else was screwed up, though. Knoppix is >> PAM-based, like most modern Linux distros. I'm not positive of the >> layout, but since it's a Debian-derived system there are likely a >> bunch of files in /etc/pam.d which all include /etc/pam.d/system.auth >> (or somethign like that, I don't remember the exact name). That one >> file has the master stack of authentication methods which can be >> ararnged in any number of ways. It's conceivable that you screwed up >> PAM somehow (there are lots of ways to screw it up :)), which'll be a >> little harder to diagnose without knowing exactly what's there. >> >> Finally, it's possible that /etc/nsswitch.conf was messed up. It's >> kinda like the precursor to PAM. While you're in the rescue system, >> open up /etc/nsswitch.conf and verify that there's a line that says >> "passwd: files", one that says "shadow: files", and one that says >> "groups: files". There can be things other than files in there, but >> files should probably be first. >> >> Hopefully that'll either get your problem fixed, or get you enough to >> do good Google searches. :) >> >> --Danny >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> > > > -- > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive > View/change your membership options at > http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist