Recover Linux Root Password

[mendhak]

I'm running Red Hat 7.2 on a P4/256MB. I've got a GRUB loader, if that's of any help.

How can I recover the root password, or at least change it? I've lost the current password, and can't log into Linux at all.

Thank you.

[mendhak]

dude ?

[Sastraxi]

No non-root account!??!

[parksie]

Put the disk into another computer, or access the root partition from elsewhere. In either /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow, replace the hashed password for root with a new hash of a password you *know*. That might need to be done on another linux system though (then again, you might just need to run it through md5).

[mendhak]

Originally posted by parksie
Put the disk into another computer, or access the root partition from elsewhere. In either /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow, replace the hashed password for root with a new hash of a password you *know*. That might need to be done on another linux system though (then again, you might just need to run it through md5).

I do have non-root accounts, but I do need the root account password.

Parksie, how do I obtain the 'hash' of a password I want to put there?

[parksie]

Ok, if you have non-root accounts, with passwords you know, replace the current root password hash with that of a known password

[Sastraxi]

To make a hash, do this:

echo PASSWORDTOBEHASHED | md5sum

... In a *nix environment, of course.

[mendhak]

Thanks, much appreciated.