I bought a used computer with Linux installed onto it, and...

[smitteninseattle]

I have never used linux, although since I've bought the computer I've tried to learn (to no avail whatsoever)

So, I can not log onto root, the user name is user and the computer name is linux. I don't know the password.

Im worried that the guy who sold me the computer could be spying on me. He was supposed to bring me a Windows 2000 disc to install, but I haven't heard from him for two days now.

What do you think?

[infoshirish]

I have never used linux, although since I've bought the computer I've tried to learn (to no avail whatsoever)

So, I can not log onto root, the user name is user and the computer name is linux. I don't know the password.

Im worried that the guy who sold me the computer could be spying on me. He was supposed to bring me a Windows 2000 disc to install, but I haven't heard from him for two days now.

What do you think?

Hii smitteninseattle,
And Welcome to Linuxforums. I guess your username should not be user but it should be root itself. Just when you are droped on login screen.

Username:root

You need to reset your password for root from single user mode.
Single User Mode is a boot option which gives you root console prompt without asking password.

But which distro are you using?

Anyways just when you get boot splash screen / grub screen

1. Select the kernel option and press "e" to edit. After that type "s" at the end of kernel line.
2. Hit Enter
3. Press "b" to boot

After it boots it will drop you on shell prompt
Type below commands:-

Code:

#passwd
(This will ask password 2 times enter same password for both)
#reboot

Boot your linux and enter username as root and password you set.

[smitteninseattle]

okay, I will try.

The distro I have is freespire btw

[oz]

Here is a HowTo with additional information for changing passwords just in case you should need it:

http://www.linuxforums.org/forum/lin...-password.html