Hi all!

I just overhauled one of my systems and installed Mandrake 9.2 from the ground up. During the process, for some reason, the install never asked me to set a root password. I can log on as root, but it doesn't require a password, whereas the other account that I setup manually from within the root password, does require the password I specified.

I tried changing to root within a terminal and running the passwd command, which does prompt me for the new password that I would like to set, but I get the following error, even when I log on as root and use the same command from within the terminal:

'passwd: User not know to the underlying authentication module'

What does this mean, and more importantly, how do I correct this?

As always, thanks to all that take the time to answer! All help is appreciated by this newbie!

groupadd root
useradd root -d /root -g root
passwd root

I appreciate the assistance, but alas, I got the same error.

When I tried using the groupadd command, I received the following error:

"groupadd: group root exists"

When I tried using the useradd root -d /root -g root command, I get the following error:

"useradd: user root exists"

And finally, when I try the passwd root command, the system prompts me to change the following prompt:

"Changing password for user root.
New UNIX password:

I type the new password, then I get:

"Retype new UNIX password:"

Then I continue to get the following message:

"passwd: User not known to the underlying authentication module"

Thanks for trying hollerith!

If anyone else has any suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks for your time to reply!

If you are logged in root, you can use only the passwd command :

[root@xerta willand]# passwd
Changing password for user root.
New UNIX password:

Thanks for your reply willand!

I get the same error whether I am logged on as root or not. When I am not logged on as root, I do user the su command, but I am not prompted for a password. When I log out and log back in as root, I am also not prompted for a password, but I get the same error either way.

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to give my existing account that does recognize a password root permissions and try it then. I know this is risky, but I don't know what else to do.

I appreciate everyone's assistance!

As a side note, when I go into the Mandrake Users Management tool, I see that the user account that I created shows a status of Expired. Could this have something to do with the fact that I am not able to set the root password? If so, how do I change this? When I try to edit the properties of this account, in userdrak, there is no place to change this status...

Try this thread: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...hreadid=134412
Might work.

Thanks for the suggestion CrashedAgain.

The problem here is that I am booting straight into the graphical interface, and don't know how to boot to a command prompt (terminal). And if I did, I don't know how I would boot back into the GUI. If anyone else has any ideas about this, please let me know.

Thanks to all!

I think they mean type 'linux init=/bin/bash' at the lilo boot screen, not waiting until the system boots. Or perhaps you are not using a boot loader? In that case, log out, specifying 'log in as a new user' instaed of 'shutdown'. This should get you to the graphical login screen (kdm). Then log back in, but select 'terminal' or 'failsafe' instead of your gui. Log in, then shut down. Usually the system will default start to the last shutdown setting so that should start you in a terminal setting. 'Startx' should get you into the gui when you need it. But I don't think this is what the above thread intends, you are supposed to enter the boot parameter before the system actually boots. Therefore I think if you are not now using lilo (or grub) you will have to install it.
I haven't actually tried the procedure in the thread, maybe it won't work. I'll give it a test as soon as I can.

Just tried it. Type 'linux init=/bin/bash' at the lilo prompt & you end up in a terminal. 'whoami' says I am root. Now if you can't do 'passwd' there is some deeper problems.

I really appreciate all the effort that you have put into researching this issue, CrashedAgain, but I still get the same error when I try to set the root password, even from the text-based mode. I think I will try running a repair re-install to see if that works.

Once again, thanks for all your help! I will post back once I have finished.

I FOUND IT!!!! I found the command that allowed me to reset the root password!!!! It was in the Mandrake archives at the following link:

http://archives.mandrakelinux.com/co...9/msg05327.php

The answer was to log in as root, run the grpconv, then run pwconv, open the terminal and run passwd root and enter/confirm the new password. This resulted in the "All authentication modules updated." message!!!!

Now I have a root password set on my machine!!!!

Once again, thanks to all that tried to help, and I hope this helps others!!!!

My day is made!!!!