[Deaf-lug] HELP. Can't Login any more

[JGJones (Mailing List)]

Most simple solution although yes this involve command line...but there's no
farfing around with live CD's or copying files etc.

When you first boot, you get a Grub menu - where you are provided with a
list of operating system to boot from (such as Ubuntu, Windows if dual
booting) - you might need to press Esc to see this.

You are then provided with a list of kernel version, with the most recent at
top.

There are also entries for root mode as well - this boot up a basic linux
system for you, without starting X (the GUI bits) and also auto log you in
as a root user in command line mode.

Now since you are a root user this give you all the power including the
ability to change your user password.

To change password of your usual username just enter:

passwd [username]

And then type

exit

and it'll boot up into GUI as normal (above is based on Ubuntu so ymmv)

(now you might think this sound rather insecure, giving root access at boot
up - well not really...for servers, they tend to be locked away, so there's
no way to get access...if they do, well they pretty much have access to the
disk already. - and that's where encyption comes in so useful, especially
for laptops! - Next version of Ubuntu aim to have fully encrypted /home as
an option. Current version is either full disk encryption or a encrypted
~/Private directory in your /home).

On Sat, Jan 17, 2009 at 5:28 PM, Fintan Gaughan <fgaughan at gmail.com> wrote:

> Glad you sorted it out!
>
> Was going to say have you tried password reset
>
> anyway for backups have you tried drop box?
>
> http://www.getdropbox.com
>
> I use this for quick temporary back ups daily and when i reach a
> certain amount of mb I back up to a backup server or any hardware back
> up.
>
> Fintan
>
>
>
>
> 2009/1/17 Dafydd Eveleigh <dafydd at evejam.co.uk>:
> > Hi All
> > Just to let you know that I have found a way of saving all my files using
> > live CD.
> > I when to the terminal and typed in
> > sudo -i which gave me root access and that I was able to chmod and chown
> to
> > give me access via the live CD.
> > I have now saved all my files and will do a clean install later.
> > Still very strange how this happened in the first place!!!!!!
> > Many Thanks
> > Dy
> > On 17 Jan 2009, at 13:10, Dafydd Eveleigh wrote:
> >
> > Hi Folks
> > I really don't know why this as happened as I haven't done any tinkering
> > this morning, and has been working fine all week.
> > I booted up and logged in fine this morning, then I used a different
> account
> > for my kids to do some typing.
> > Now when I boot up I get the login screen I login and the login process
> > starts and then I am sent back to the login screen.
> > I have tried using crtl+alt+f1 for terminal login and the same thing
> happens
> > I keep being sent back to the login.
> > I have also tried failsafe mode both gnome and terminal.
> > I have run out of ideas and my search on Google has so far failed to turn
> up
> > a possible solution!!!!
> > The important thing for me is to save all my files (I know I know I
> should
> > have backed up and I have but the back up info is slightly out of date
> :-( )
> > I have used a live CD to try and copy the files but didn't work.
> > Any suggestions how I can repair the login or just save and copy the
> files
> > would be brilliant as I can always do a clean install.
> > Many Thanks in advance for your help.
> > Dy
> > Dafydd Eveleigh
> > Please Visit my Website
> > http://www.evejam.co.uk/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dafydd Eveleigh
> > Please Visit my Website
> > http://www.evejam.co.uk/
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
>
> My Blog http://www.finllfixit.co.uk/
>
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