NCR Tower 32/500- lost root password

From: Bill Pechter <pechter_at_pechter.dyndns.org>
Date: Sun Oct 3 08:59:12 1999

> I've got a NCR Tower 32/500 (3466-500) running Unix that has a mixed-up
> root password- see, I got it in working condition, with no password on
> root. Like a dolt, I changed the password before setting up an account
> for myself. It happily took the password, and I did an orderly shutdown.
> Later, I re-started and went to log in, and it kept coming up with 'login
> incorrect'. I did a disorderly shutdown (no way to log in to do it right)
> and now it comes up in single-user mode saying it needs to be fsck'ed (no
> problem), but it still wants a password. I've tried every convolution
> of the password I used (it was a simple word, a numeral, and the # sign)
> with no luck. I do not know any other accounts/passwords, nor do I have a
> system install tape. Is there any way to get in without a password and
> edit the /etc/.passwd file?
>
> Richard

The # sign is the problem...I'll bet. Some AT&T Unix's used to use
that as a special delete character. Try using a backslash \
before the pound sign.

Bill

---
  bpechter_at_shell.monmouth.com|pechter_at_pechter.dyndns.org
      Three things never anger: First, the one who runs your DEC,
      The one who does Field Service and the one who signs your check.
Received on Sun Oct 03 1999 - 08:59:12 BST

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