Ubuntu - recovering lost user name and password

Psyk · 7 Oct 2007 at 16:55

I installed Ubuntu on and old machine I had lying around (I intend to use it as an HTPC) but I've completely forgotten the user name and password. Is there any way I can recover this? I'm a complete linux noob (I can use it, but I have no idea about setting things up) so please explain in very simple terms

Psyk · 7 Oct 2007 at 17:12

Ok nevermind, the password was pass. I'm such an idiot. A mod can close this if they like.

GarethDW · 8 Oct 2007 at 00:24

As long as you've got physical access to the box, you can always reset a root password... so if it happens again, don't panic

.walls · 8 Oct 2007 at 22:04

GarethDW said:
As long as you've got physical access to the box, you can always reset a root password... so if it happens again, don't panic

It's great, isn't it... linux is so "secure"!!

(p.s. I use linux on the majority of my boxes and I know that it's just as easy with windows - so i'm not trying to start a flame war!!)

fumbles · 8 Oct 2007 at 23:52

Actually resetting a password on Linux is a lot easier TBH. Why? Unless you encrypt you entire hdd there isn't much point if they have physical access to you computer.

Just live boot CD, edit /etc/shadow delete the line with your username from ':' to ':' where that big hash thing is (the second one). Or you can replace the password hash with a users one in which you do know.