UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hello guys!

Im new and im german, so please forgive my very bad english!

I have a problem...
I have never worked out with Unix, but now i have the Job to save data from an old unix-system...

Surely noone knows the rootpassword of the system...

So i dont know how to save the data...

and i cant take the plate of the system in another Unixsystem, because we have no other...

Is there a chance to take the plate in a Windows-System and read the data from this system, or do you know an other way to get my problem??

Many Thanks bevor answers, im truely helpless

1. be detailed in the Subject - everyone need help

2. Each Unix has unique method how to switch to single user mode - the best method how to recover system without root password knowledge. You didn't write what Unix do you use ...

Okay...
Its an Ultrix V4.2A System... from 1991
The firm is DIGITAL
The CPU= KN02

More Information i dont have...
Its my first time on a Unix-system and i have no help...

Sorry... tell me how i get mor infos from the system and i do it

Im ashamed that i cant bring you much more infos, but im realy bad at Unix...

Treuenfels,

It looks like you have a good learning experience here.

There have been other postings about "breaking into a system".

Search for words like "root", " no login", "single-user mode", "single user mode".

My first suggestion is: Try to reboot the box and when it asks for the interrupt, do it... it should offer you a way to get to single-user mode which is a very low-level for the box. Some systems don't require root passwd at this level.

When (if) you get there, type "mount -a" to mount all filesystems.
Then modify the root password. Type "passwd root". Then make it something simple that you can remember. I know this is a security risk but in your case it won't matter.

If this doesn't work, you may be able to boot from a tape or CD that has the OS on it.

As I said, search this forum for key words relating to "no root login" or similar words.

Hope this will help you. Good luck learning UNIX.

Thanks Kelam_Magnus,

i would search for theese keywords...
But I'm very under pressure (better you have completet it yesterday, than today)

In time i have tryed some of your and other ideas, but by many types i gave the system, the system says : "?CNF: xy"

So i have enter "?" and this is the result!

?[cmd]
boot[[-z#][-n] #/path[ARG...]]
cat SCRPT
cnfg [#]
d [-bhw][-s#]RNG
erl [-c]
go [ADR]
init [#][-m][ARG...]
ls [#]
passwd [-c][-s]
printenv [ENV]
restart
script SCRPT
setenv EVN STR
sh [-belvS][SCRPT][ARG...]
t [-l] #/STR[ARG...]
unsetenv EVN

NOW I'm really out of control...

if i type "ls" there a many "tests" and some other things listed, but if i enter some of this, nothing will happen...

This job make me wired...

I don't know Ultrix.

You have to use [IMHO] "boot" command. But which ARGSto use, I don't know.

Probably it is written in the hardware documentation to server not Ultrix documentation ...

I have never used an Ultrix system before, but it looks like you can use :

Code:

? passwd

To get more help on passwd. Perhaps it will let you set/reset a password from there. If not do a ? init, ? boot... anything that will give you an idea of how to get to single-user mode.