forgot root password

[scm]

just go to
shadow
remove encrupted passwd
sample
root:$1$dN/PzhOV$de.3Uja9QwQElWnhgVcyP.:12298:0:99999:7:::

root::13046:0:99999:7::: (with out password)

But you've got to already be root to do this, in which case you can just reset the password with the passwd() command.

[sharkyro]

i think we should have a sticky post about how to recover root password

Agreed

[grovvy2112]

So I have tried everything up to here.

on the grub interface highkight you linux distro
press 'e' on the key board
u will be taken to the sub menu
here select the line that starts with the word kernel and hit 'e' again
the line will now appear in editable mode
donot delete anything from the line... go to the end of the line and add '1' without the quotes to it
"kernel ***** ro root=LABEL=/ 1"
hit enter
now u will be taken back to the sub menu
now press 'b'

After this it boots normally into the login screen where I am again locked out of.

Does it matter at all that my kernel line is VERY short and ends in the word quiet?

[penguinpusher_dot_org]

just go to
shadow
remove encrupted passwd
sample
root:$1$dN/PzhOV$de.3Uja9QwQElWnhgVcyP.:12298:0:99999:7:::

root::13046:0:99999:7::: (with out password)

But you've got to already be root to do this, in which case you can just reset the password with the passwd() command.

This is a true statement. However using a LiveCD, like Knoppix, or bootdisk and rootdisk diskettes. you can mount your Linux disk to mountpoint.
example.

$ mount /mnt /dev/hda5

Now you can go to the mounted disk

cd /mnt

Now attempt to edit your file /etc/passwd by vi or sed.
Note: The file you are editing, passwd, is mounted at /mnt/etc/passwd.

$ vi /mnt/etc/passwd

You want to edit the line that contains the word "root". For example, if your /etc/passwd contains the line

root:x3FrTg6uYT7.:0:0:root:/:/bin/sh

edit it and blank out the password field to the next:

root::0:0:root:/:/bin/sh

Save the changes, you will be able to login as root without a password.

Other possible method:
If you think your root password is a dictionary word or name use "John the Ripper." It is really fast and really easy to use. -google it for more info.