Lost Linux root password - Recovery mode and init=/bin/bash fail

Posted by Albeit on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Albeit
Published on 2012-11-30T16:52:13Z Indexed on 2012/11/30 17:05 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 202

Filed under:

linux

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ubuntu

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password

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boot

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root

I lost/forgot the root password to a server sitting beside me and am trying to reset it. I would rather not have to wipe and re-install or use a Live CD (server is running Ubuntu Server 12.04). What I've tried so far...

1) Boot into "Recovery mode" from Grub2 boot menu then drop into root shell prompt. I am prompted to "Give root password for maintenance". No-go.

2) Change the boot parameters for the main boot option to include "rw" and "init=/bin/bash". When I then boot with Ctrl-X, the screen goes black, and nothing happens (I've waited five minutes). init=/bin/sh and init=/bin/static-sh both do the same thing, while init=/sbin/init boots as normal.

Is there anything else I can try to reset the root password? Thank you!

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