VMware Communities: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu?

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13 Replies Last post: Apr 21, 2009 10:46 AM by Dave.Mishchenko

How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu?

Apr 15, 2009 11:24 AM

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

I have an ESXi 3.5 server I inherited and I cannot get to the grub menu to reset the password. It boots so fast right into the ESX server interface and I have tried every keystroke I can think of to get to the grub menu. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Tags: esxi_3.5, esx_server, 3.5i, password, reset

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 11:27 AM

lamw 2,748 posts since
Nov 27, 2007

Check this site instructions: http://www.petri.co.il/vmware-esx-server-root-password-reset-recovery-lost.htm

=========================================================================
William Lam
VMware vExpert 2009
VMware ESX/ESXi scripts and resources at: http://engineering.ucsb.edu/~duonglt/vmware/
http://twitter.com/lamw

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 11:31 AM

Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

For ESXi you can do this - http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Reset_root_password.php.

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 2:08 PM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

Still same issue - How do I get to the Grub menu?

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 2:13 PM

in response to: jerryroy1

lamw 2,748 posts since
Nov 27, 2007

As Dave as mentioned in this link, for ESXi you have the option of a repair or booting an alternative OS to clear the password. The link I referenced is only for classic ESX and that should be done directly on the console or via some remote console such as DRAC/iLO, you'll want to reboot and catch the grub loader.

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 2:15 PM

in response to: jerryroy1

Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

Is your system a fresh install or has it been patched at any time? If it's been patched you would have to state.tgz files. Did you change the most recent?

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 2:20 PM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

I don't even know if it is new or patched. I inherited it from an admin who left the company and won't return calls. Isnt there some keystroke or way to force it upon boot to stop at the grub menu? I have tried alt +f1 ctrl +d etc.. I can't get that damn thing to pause so I can enter any commands. It is a dell 1850 with dual xeons if that helps at all

TIA for all the quick responses

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 2:29 PM

in response to: jerryroy1

Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

ESXi doesn't have a Linux service console as with ESX so it doesn't have a grub menu to use. On the initial screen you can press shift+o to add boot options, but the pasword reset option that might find listed on some sites only worked with the beta for ESXi.

I haven't seen any other methods to reset the password other than the link provided, but you could run a repair install as mentioned. That will wipe the system partitions, but leave the VMFS partitions alone. After the repair you would re-add your VMs to inventory.

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 3:26 PM

in response to: Dave.Mishchenko

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

Thanks all for the support - EXCELLENT! - I will run a repair

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 15, 2009 3:29 PM

in response to: jerryroy1

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

Am I doing a search under "Repair install"?

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 21, 2009 9:57 AM

in response to: jerryroy1

jerryroy1 11 posts since
Jun 2, 2006

OK, I did a repair - so how do I see if I have any VM's on the local box and re-import them? It does look like there are any there.

Reply Re: How do I change a Lost password on ESXi when I can't get grub menu? Apr 21, 2009 10:08 AM

in response to: jerryroy1

Dave.Mishchenko 8,863 posts since
Nov 15, 2005 Moderator

Right click on the datastore and select browse. You can add your VMs back to inventory by right clicking on the VM file and selecting add to inventory. On the browser window there is also a search function which you can use to find all your VMX files.