how to boot into linux if root password lost

[abhaywit]

Dear friends,

I have forgotten my root password. I tried to boot as "linux single user mode" but it demanded GRUB configure password. I installed linux long time before. I have completely forgotten that too.

Can anyone tell me, how can i boot with above constraints.

Its really urgent.

Bye.
abhaywit

 

[comtec17]

Please read this faq --> faq54-403

 

[mbowler9]

That method looks a little intensive to me. I just took a Red Hat class and this was actually one of the troubleshooting exercises we did. The processes we used was:

1) Make sure the server is bootable from CD-ROM.
2) Insert installation (or recovery) CD and reboot
3) Answer language and keyboard prompts appropriately.
4) hit "Continue" at the prompts that mention "/mnt/sysimage"
5) at the prompt type "chroot /mnt/sysimage"
6) you can now change your password as you normally would wiht "passwd"
7) remove cd and reboot

NOTE: this may only work on Red Hat systems, not sure.