Could anybody help please! I have DEFINITE LINUX 7.0. After installition, and midway through configuration it asks me to enter a `root` password in both boxes. I get a flashing cursor and can `TAB` back and forth to each box but can not enter anything.(could it be masking my password like windows does with `*`s)

Also when install is complete it asks for `logon name and password` the password I typed in got a replay of incorrect password and logon something or other(I believe also you might actually type in `ROOT` but I have tried this also in logon and password.

The version of Linux was on a cover mount of LINUX FORMAT Issue One. I have followed the guide in said magazine, to no avail. Is there something I am missing? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Also it tells you to register, but I did not receive a code, do you have to purchase it boxed before you get a code. Thanks again.

Boot to your install floppy (or any linux bootable disketee). Mount your rout filesystem. If your root filesystem is the first partition of your first hard drive this would be /dev/hda1. So you would use this command to mount it:

mount /dev/hda1 /mnt

Go to that area and in the etc directory. Copy the /etc/passwd file to a backup file such as passwd.bak. Now remove the password from the root user. That would be the first record with something like:

root:x:0:0::/root:/bin/bash

Change it to be:

root::0:0::/root:/bin/bash

Now restart the system in normal mode. As soon as you get back to the system, copy the saved passwd file back to the proper file and use the systems' passwd command to change the password to whatever you want it to be.

-- L. James

Ally (from UK right?), Linux does not (as far as I know) put in the character * when you type in the root password.Infact it doesn't put any character in this is the case on SUSE anyway, so don't be alarmed if you dont see anything.

Follow the advice of Larry James if you can still access Linux, but if you cannot login as root or your username then you may have to re-install Definate Linux, making sure that you type the passwords in slowly for the first time and make sure you remember them!

You don't say wether or not you created a username as well as a root account. Were you asked to create one?

Maybe someone who has that distribution knows more about the install. Also, have you asked Linux format at their forums for advice?

One more thing. You need to login using root not ROOT - Linux usernames are case sensitive.