[ubuntu-uk] The need for root in a rescue situation

[Paul Sladen]

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007, Michael Wood wrote:
> Colin Murphy wrote:
> > What is the approved way of working in this rescue situation without a
> > root password?
> I've set my root password by doing "sudo su" then passwd

If people are going to set root passwords, then *please remember them*.  

Ubuntu does not come with a root password set, and owing to the advantages
of sudo and the need to make a last-ditch '(recovery mode)' operation as
smooth as possible, then requesting recovery mode will dump the user
directly at a superuser shell prompt.

However, if a root password *has been set*, then obligation to require the
password to be entered will be followed...

If you would to return an Ubuntu machine to normal operation, by
clearing the root password, you can use the 'lock' command:

  sudo passwd -l

	-Paul
-- 
Why do one side of a triangle when you can do all three.   Nottingham, GB