How to Reset Password Ubuntu Using SytemRescueCD

"init=/bin/bash" at the boot/GRUB prompt gives you root access, then "passwd" can create/modify root and/or user passwords. All you need is physical access to the console. Works for any Linux, does not need any CD, DVD, floppy, or USB stick.

> "init=/bin/bash" at the boot/GRUB prompt gives you root access,

And what if the system you're using doesn't boot with GRUB?

Does anyone actually use Lilo anymore???

> Does anyone actually use Lilo anymore???

It's still the default for Slackware. Grub is optional.

LILO still has a boot menu from which you can avoid init etc., and boot straight into a shell.

I do not think that a Slackware user would be bothered with the complications (MS envy?) that Ubuntu users seem to inflict upon themselves.

> LILO still has a boot menu from which you can avoid init etc

If you don't disable it, yes.

> If you don't disable it

There doesn't seem much point in disabling the boot menu without also frustrating the ability yo boot from removable media. ...

> There doesn't seem much point in disabling the boot menu without also frustrating the ability yo boot from removable media. ...

Agreed. The truly security conscious will disable the boot menu, disable everything but booting from the hard drive, and password protect the bios.

And since even that won't protect you from someone removing the hard drive and imaging it, they'll encrypt the drive.

I recently posted about this subject. Here's how you about it without any CD. I do have the problem quite often, since clients are really careless with their passwords.

http://www.microlinux.fr/blog/?page_id=266

re:the microlinux blog post

Most desktop machines will have a graphical boot loader screen, which permits the kernel boot parameters to be entered/edited directly without the need to invoke the "text edit" mode.

In my experience (non-Debian) systems boot with at least the root filesystem mounted read/write. There is no need to remount before writing to /etc/shadow. Also, if it is possible to restart with ctrl-alt-del the drives will be unmounted cleanly. If you need to use the restart or power button then "remount ro /" might be propitious. (The "mount -o remount" syntax just gives more room for error when dictating instructions to an inexperienced colleague via the telephone".)

YMMV, of course. I've tested this method extensively on various distros using GRUB 0.97 and GRUB 2, mostly on Debian, RHEL and various derivatives of the latter. I got the initial idea from the O'Reilly "Linux Hacks" book.