changing password

[maddmomma]

I bought this computer from my son's girlfriend and she has her password on it. I didn't really think anything about it until I tried to do some updates and found out I need her password, also I was told not to put it in hibernate mode because I didn't have her password to get back in. My problem is she forgot the password so now I can't put her password in to change it to my password.What can I do? How do I find out what her password is to change it to the password I want. I have Linus Mint 7 Gloria- Main Edition.

[JasonLG]

I bought this computer from my son's girlfriend and she has her password on it. I didn't really think anything about it until I tried to do some updates and found out I need her password, also I was told not to put it in hibernate mode because I didn't have her password to get back in. My problem is she forgot the password so now I can't put her password in to change it to my password.What can I do? How do I find out what her password is to change it to the password I want. I have Linus Mint 7 Gloria- Main Edition.

If you could be told in a simple forum post how to discover an unknown password it wouldn't be a very secure system would it?

The solution is either your son's girlfriend remembers the password, in which case you can then change it to whatever you want, or you backup your data and reinstall using the password of your choice.

[vincent]

I believe this is possible, actually...a quick Google search supposedly confirms this.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-rese ... -password/
Note that the key combo to boot from that custom kernel entry from Grub is CTRL + X.

Another way is to just boot up a Live CD and edit the /etc/shadow file of your Linux installation. Never tried that myself, but I'm sure you can find guides about this via Google.

Either of these methods will reset root's password. You can then reset your user password, once you have root privileges, along the lines of the following:

Code: Select all

sudo passwd user

Where "user" is the name of the actual user.

[JasonLG]

I believe this is possible, actually...a quick Google search supposedly confirms this.
http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/linux-rese ... -password/
Note that the key combo to boot from that custom kernel entry from Grub is CTRL + X.

Another way is to just boot up a Live CD and edit the /etc/shadow file of your Linux installation. Never tried that myself, but I'm sure you can find guides about this via Google.

Either of these methods will reset root's password. You can then reset your user password, once you have root privileges, along the lines of the following:

Code: Select all

sudo passwd user

Where "user" is the name of the actual user.

I stand corrected

[itlarson]

I haven't tried this, but it looks simple:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LostPassword

Ubuntu stuff always seems to work on mint in my experience.

[frankcox]

dear Jason:

Perhaps you need to realize you are not as far removed from being a newbie as you think. Any computer you have physical access to can be accessed. If you would have had that lady rebuild her machine for nothing that would have made you look arrogant without cause. Not to mention she would lose all her data.
There are free programs to do it in Vista-7 etc like OphCrack but Linux/Unix knowing it was for all intentions impossible to protect a machine that one has physical access to wisely chose not to bother. If the only reason a person wants access is to copy the data all you need is a puppy linux disk [or any live cd and you can copy the data. of course you can change the root password as long as you have access as was noted. I think you need to tell her you are sorry.

[vincent]

I don't see any arrogance in Jason's post. At the time, he replied to the OP's question to the best of his ability and knowledge. Is that something he shouldn't have done, trying to help somebody out by answering one of their questions? Is this not the purpose of a "Newbie Questions" forum?

Perhaps you need to realize you are not as far removed from being a newbie as you think.

I'm sorry, but if I were to be honest, I would say that this statement came across (to me) as more arrogant than anything Jason posted in this entire thread.

[Elisa]

I don't see any arrogance in Jason's post. At the time, he replied to the OP's question to the best of his ability and knowledge. Is that something he shouldn't have done, trying to help somebody out by answering one of their questions? Is this not the purpose of a "Newbie Questions" forum?

I do agree

Take it easy and hold your fu...ing horses, this is helpful forum, it's not like fu...ed Microsoft sh*ttin' hunter forum. Everyone knows something and Linux/Unix is about sharing knowledges.
So instead of sh*ttin' here, learn quickly and help to others (if u can) quickly as well

Code: Select all

sudo apt-get moo

[JasonLG]

Perhaps you need to realize you are not as far removed from being a newbie as you think.

I never said that I wasn't a noob, in fact ask anybody that frequents this forum and they can attest to the fact that I've freely admitted that I am in several posts.

Not to mention she would lose all her data.

The most invasive of my solutions was to backup and reinstall. The OP wouldn't have lost anything but time.

I think you need to tell her you are sorry.

I didn't say anything to the OP that warrants an apology in my opinion. I am however sorry that you seem to be such a douchebag.