Linux (RH7.3) - Forgot login name / pw - Best thing to wipe and re-install?

[David_Jones]

Hi,

I installed RH7.3 on an old machine to try it out some months ago.

Since then I didn't have much time, and haven't used it.

Now I have time again, I boot it up, to find I must have put in a username and password, but I cannot remember what it was.

Is there any easy way around it?

There is nothing on there apart from the OS - no apps (except those that install with RH7.3), and no data.

I am thinking I will just boot to a DOS disk, FDISK to wipe all the partitions, and re-install RH7.3, since that is only an hour or so, but if there is a simpler option to do a partial re-install or wipe all the data / user info, then I would be delighted to hear about it.

Thanks,

David.

[cypher1919]

try using root as your login name and then your root password. you can keep trying different ones and it won't affect since it doesnt count wrong attempts

[David_Jones]

Tried everything I could think of.

Must have had a funny five mins when I put in the password.

It's no big deal - I think it might be easier just to wipe it and re-install.

This time I am using root / root as the name / password!!!

David.

[cypher1919]

its going to make you make a root password regardless(not something i like) but on the login when it asks you to make one just leave it blank. it will automaticly set your login name as "root"
and then all you have to know is the password.

[jglen490]

Um, routinely logging in as root is not good practice. Yes, root is all powerful, but is also all dangerous. At this pint, don't worry about wiping, just reinstall. You can use fdisk, but use the Linux version of fdisk, if you relly want to wipe it all first.

[RenegadeKing]

Just pop in the RedHat cd, and tell it to install a new installation and to make the partitions for you, wiping out any existing linux partitions.

jglen is right, you do not want to be always logging in as root. Make a username and password you can remember and use that. When you have to do something that requires superuser permissions, just type in "su" and then your root password, do what you have to do, and then type "exit" to go back to your normal user.

[David_Jones]

Okay - noted on not using 'root' all the time.

I guess David / David and Root / David will do it!

I assume I can change the root password even if the original one is predetermined?

Anyway, gonna re-install.

Thanks all,

David.