How to restore a lost root password...

[Matthew Seaman]

Matthew Seaman wrote:
> DSA - JCR wrote:
>> Hi all
>>
>> I have lost the neuron where I stored the root password of an 
>> installation ;D
>>
>> I have seen a "How to" about this but I have a problem, i set the console
>> to insecure, so when I try to do the step of the "how to" i get a message
>> to input the root password or Ctrl-D to enter in multiuser mode.
>>
>> Is there a way to restore/modify it, or not?
>>
>> Some ideas?
> 
> You can try booting from installation media into 'fixit' mode or live
> filesystem.  Once there, you can mount your HDD read-write; edit 
> /etc/master.password to remove the crypted password string from the
> line for the root account; run 'cap_mkdb ./master.passwd'; reboot back

Ooops. Make that:  'pwd_mkdb ./master.passwd'
 
> to your normal system and then log in as root (no password) and 
> /immediately/ set another root password.
> 
> This time, don't forget your root password.  If you struggle to memorise
> it, then *write it down* on its own, on a blank sheet of paper.  Don't 
> add any really obvious text like "this is the root password for my 
> server" -- after all, we don't want to make it too easy for anyone 
> trying to break in do we?  Seal that paper in an envelope and keep it in 
> a safe place.  But not so safe that you forget where you put it...
> 
>     Cheers,
> 
>     Matthew
> 

	Matthew

-- 
Dr Matthew J Seaman MA, D.Phil.                   7 Priory Courtyard
                                                  Flat 3
PGP: http://www.infracaninophile.co.uk/pgpkey     Ramsgate
                                                  Kent, CT11 9PW

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 258 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
Url : http://lists.freebsd.org/pipermail/freebsd-questions/attachments/20081025/202bf77b/signature.pgp