Reset lost root password

[chavez9119]

Is it possible to reset a lost root password if you have enabled passwords to get into single user mode?

[DSTAVERT]

http://www.vm-help.com/esx/esx3i/Reset_root_password.php

[DSTAVERT · Accepted solution]

Any linux distribution disk should work to start the host server. There is usually a RESCUE start option. http://www.sysresccd.org/Main_Page is also a good disk to have on hand. Save it to the datastore as well for other maintenance tasks once you are back and running.

[chavez9119]

will this work for ESX 3.5? are you saying that i can just boot any "resue" cd, find the /etc/shadow file and edit the password field to blank?

[Troy_Clavell]

try this

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

[chavez9119]

Troy, I can't use that method because I enabled root password for single user mode by adding ~~:S:wait:/sbin/sulogin to inittab

[DSTAVERT]

Troy

Just watch. We're bending the coat hanger for the guy and find out later he was stealing the car.

[Troy_Clavell]

Disclaimer:

We claim no responsibility for any actions taken based upon our recommendations!

How's that?

[DSTAVERT]

And I'll be your witness.

[DSTAVERT]

You need to follow the directions in the link. You will need to create two mount points and then mount the two fat partitions /dev/sda5 and /dev/sda6 . Copy off the state.tgz or local.tgz file depending on whether you have embedded or installed ESXi. Untar the file. enter the etc folder and blank the root password field in shadow. I can confirm that it works. I just did it.

[Troy_Clavell]

based on this statement:

will this work for ESX 3.5?

Is OP using ESXi or Classic ESX?

[chavez9119]

Thanks for testing. I am not using ESXi, I got classic ESX. I am going to download that slax cd and give it a try.

[Troy_Clavell]

keep this handy too, it's the official guide

http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1317898

[chavez9119]

thanks troy. I had tried that kb before posting. The issue is that i configured single user mode to require the root password. I never get to the bash prompt.

[DSTAVERT]

ESXi forum. Sorry I missed the ESX

[DSTAVERT]

You may be able to use the ESX install CD to do the rescue boot.

[DSTAVERT]

I just downloaded ESX to try. I will try kon-boot when I get it installed. kon-boot is worth it's own discussion,

[DSTAVERT]

Troy

Have you perchance tried kon-boot against ESX?

[Troy_Clavell]

nope, never tried kon-boot

[DSTAVERT]

If you aren't aware of it have a look. It allows you to boot straight into many/most linux distros or all Windows versions without knowing the password. Doesn't work with ESXi. It is a tiny CD or floppy image. It is worth knowing about for it's usefulness and it as a security threat.