On Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:25:50 -0400, Ken Heard wrote: > Since writing the last paragraph of my post earlier today: > >> Not only that, but also I after closing the computer and rebooting I >> was unable to install *any* operating system, whether finnix from the >> CD or Squeeze from the hard drive. I am now consequently forced to do >> completely new Squeeze installation. > > I discovered that I could indeed boot finnix from the CD and Squeeze > from the hard drive. Nevertheless, because of the idiosyncrasies of > finnix it will not help me recover the Squeeze root password. > > Last month there was a thread about replacing a forgotten root password, > but frankly is seems to me to be easier to start the installation all > over again.
I don't know what finnix is, but if it allows you to mount and access the Debian filesystem, then here is one way: Boot into finnix. Become finnix's root. Mount the Debian partition containing /etc. Edit Debian's /etc/inittab. Look for the line under # What to do in single-user mode. Change it from ~~:S:wait:/sbin/sulogin to ~~:S:wait:/bin/bash Now boot Debian into single user mode and you will not be asked for a password. You can now run passwd. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: http://lists.debian.org/j4r1g6$1hp$1...@dough.gmane.org
