If you use lilo (or grub) : if you normally boot by typing "linux" type instead "linux init=/bin/bash" (or /bin/sh, /bin/tcsh the shell you use/like)
it will do a minimal boot ( you don't have anything ) and a shell root. Now do "passwd" and you should be able to type a new password without supplying the old one.... Good Luck Romain PS: if for some reason this does not work, I think you can also boot on a floppy (if you can't tweak your lilo), mount your usual root partition and erase the crypted fields of /etc/passwd or /etc/shadow. This means root doesn't have a password anymore... Then reboot (if you booted from a floppy) and change the root passwd immediately."if prompted for the older passwd just press Return" On Tue, 27 Feb 2001, Daniel Ray wrote: > ok .. i am a little new are retriving passwords with debian or anyh flavor of > linux > > > My boss decided to play sysop while i was home sick .. > > so how he changes the root password .. > > I have the machine here .. ( it doesn't have a cd-rom drive ) > > my question how can i change the root password back . > > > Thanks in advance > > Daniel >