Deleted /etc/passwd


 
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# 1  
Old 08-07-2002
Bug Deleted /etc/passwd

Hi all,
While playing with my LINUX machine i accidently deleted a file name called /etc/passwd . Even though the system is booted am unable to get the login prompt. Is there any remedy for this problem.Smilie
# 2  
Old 08-08-2002
yeah, boot from a boot cdrom and go into recovery mode (assuming that you use your distro's cdrom for this). Then, mount your old drive:
mkdir /olddrive
mount /dev/hda5 /olddrive
assuming that your old drive is on /dev/hda5.
then, cd to /olddrive/etc
type:
echo "root::0:0:Superuser:/:/bin/bash" > passwd
then reboot. That will set no passwd for root. Then, you can login, create all of your accounts over again, etc. BTW, some distros might have made a backup for you called passwd.old or something similar, check it out Smilie
cerberusofhate
# 3  
Old 08-08-2002
Hammer & Screwdriver

You can use Floopy Boot Disk (FBD) to Boot on Linux. After restore /etc/passwd from FBD or from file backup /etc/passwd.bak

Good Luck
# 4  
Old 08-08-2002
Thanks for both of u. After my extenuating work with my system atlast i got my login prompt back.
take care
# 5  
Old 08-08-2002
Quote:
"take care"
hi cyno..., with reference to above who should be taking care...(of ur etc/passwd file)
binhnx2000 or cerberusofhate.... ..hhmmmm
just joking ,
bye..
raju
# 6  
Old 08-11-2002
cp and older copy ?

most linux distro's make copies of passwd
and call them passwd- or passwd.bak
most bsd's make a backup of the complete /etc dir
try some stuff like ls passwd* in /etc
let me know, and good luck Smilie
 
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