[xubuntu-users] need help for logging into xubuntu 13.10

[som]

hi fred,

>> 
>> 
>>  Have you tried clearing your password [assuming you use one] from the 
> /etc/shadow file to see if it is an authentication issue?
>>>  Fred
>>  no, i did not. actually never heard of it. have no idea how to do that. i 
> will do some googling. thanks for the advice
>> 
>>  regards,
>> 
>>  som
>> 
>>  -
>> 
> copy file. JIC ;)
> 
> sudo cp /etc/shadow /etc/shadow.BAK
> 
> Open the /etc/shadow file in an editor such as vi from command line:
> 
> sudo vi /etc/shadow
> 
> and find your user name.  Each line is a colon delineated list and your 
> password is the second item.
> 
> username:yourpasswordencrypted:other:stuff::
> 
> delete the password only, leaving the colons in place.
> 
> username::other:stuff::
> 
> save and exit. Password has been removed, try to login from login screen.
> 
> further reading here:
> 
> http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/understanding-etcshadow-file/
> 
> Hope it helps, good luck
> 
> 
> Fred
> 


thanks for the detailed explanation and guidance. however it was not necessary. i am able to login since this morning! 

i have reinstalled xubuntu 13.10 this morning. i choose to install alongwith the already installed distro (ie, i did not format or remove the earlier version of xubuntu). after the install, i logged into the newly installed desktop, found your message and decided to give it a try. so, rebooted machine and choose the earlier distro option from grub. and suddenly i am able to log into the earlier desktop as well! all of the pre-installed apps are there. writing this message from that one itself!

so my problem is solved but i could not understand the reason! 

thanks everyone for your help.

regards, 

som