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How to edit the /etc/passwd file not using root?

 
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# 1  
Old 04-09-2008
How to edit the /etc/passwd file not using root?
Hi All,

Today I faced a problem trying to log in as root. The output error is
cannot execute sh: No such file....

I doubted there is something wrong with shell interpreter which resides in /etc/passwd file for every user who logs in.
I checked and the line for root account was self-corrupted like below:
root:x:0:0:root:/root:sh

THe line for the user I`m using looks fine

elton:x:1000:1000:Elton,,,:/home/elton:/bin/bash

Can anyone tell me how to modify the line of root to add the proper path of shell?

Thanks
# 2  
Old 04-09-2008
boot the system with cdrom and mount the local disk read/write. after that you can edit the file as needed... lets say:

vi /yourmount/etc/passwd

hth,
DN2
# 3  
Old 04-09-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeNuke2
boot the system with cdrom and mount the local disk read/write. after that you can edit the file as needed... lets say:

vi /yourmount/etc/passwd

hth,
DN2

Does the fact that debian is under virtual machine affect this resolution to boot from CD?
# 4  
Old 04-09-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by elthox
Does the fact that debian is under virtual machine affect this resolution to boot from CD?
yes it does...
# 5  
Old 04-09-2008
Quote:
Originally Posted by DukeNuke2
yes it does...
now with a little bit more time... Smilie

i don't know what kind of virtualization you use. is it possible to edit files in the "virtual" root-filesystem? if yes, you can maybe edit the file (/etc/passwd) directly from your server who hosts the vm.
if that is not possible, got to the vm console an boot it with a iso file of debian (or any other distribution) an mount the / filesystem as allready mentioned above (my first post).

hth,
DN2
 
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