The easiest way:
Boot from a BBC, mount the /etc partition rw and vi the /etc/passwd
file and remove the x. Reboot and you'll be able to log in without a
password.  Make sure the network is disconnected before you do this.

On Mon, 25 Aug 2003, Timothy Wilson wrote:

> Hey everyone,
> 
> I maintained the Web server at the school district where I used to work. After
> moving on to a new job I sat down with the head geek over there and they reset
> the root password. Unfortunately, it seems that the root password was mangled on
> entry and now no one can log in as root.
> 
> I thought that booting into single user mode would allow someone to change the
> root password without knowing the old root password. On this box, however,
> typing 'linux single' on boot still brings up a password prompt. I don't know if
> there is a boot floppy anywhere. This is a recently updated Debian 3.0 machine.
> 
> Can anyone offer some advice on how to reset root?
> 
> -Tim
> 
> -- 
> Timothy D. Wilson
> Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
> email: wilson at visi.com
> 

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