Reset Lost Root Password In Linux

I dual boot my Celeron Desktop with Windows XP and Redhat Enterprise. But, I seldom access to Redhat Linux, after running VMWare virtual machine in Windows XP to directly test drive Debian Sarge Linux.

So, I plan to reformat that Redhat partition for Windows XP. Before that, I wanted to confirm that there is no valuable data left inside the Redhat file system. Unfortunately, I found that I have forgotten the Redhat root password!

Well, it's not a big deal, as it is pretty easy to crack into Redhat Linux without knowing the root password, and reset the forgotten root password if I need to. Of course, this is only applicable to a default Redhat Linux setup, which is not hardened after the Redhat Linux installation was completed.

Steps to reset forgotten Redhat root password

While at the Redhat Linux GRUB boot menu, highlight to select the OS to boot, in this case Redhat Enterprise Linux, and press e to edit.



Next, highlight the Redhat Linux kernel, and press e to edit.




Then, append the word single at the end of line, and press ENTER. You should see something like this



OK. Press b to boot up the Redhat Linux. Now, the Redhat Linux suppose will boot into single user mode, without prompting for password. Once you get the Linux command prompt, type passwd to reset the forgotten root password!