Problem to log in to Linux...

[New2Linuxtoo]

Hi All,

Finally I installed Linux Mandrake 7.0
on my system, but can't get inside.
At a graphical login " Welcome to [ localhost] " my password field doesn't
seem to want to type the characters.
Login name appears just fine and I have
tried to type in password with all available
options in KDE, Gnome. WindowMaker, AfterStep
to no avail. I installed it, but how to get in? I would appreciate any opinions. Thanks.

New to this thing.

[Infested Flar]

the prompt ur seeing is very much fine. when u type ur password in the password field, it is natural that nothing will display. even (**) . after typing ur passwd, just hit [enter]. thats how Xwindows prompt works.

-flar-

[DavidHaze]

You can type in the login name, hit enter, but then you can not type the password?
Is this right?

[Nalle]

I think you've done something wrong when you created the password.

If you are able to log in as root, you can edit /etc/passwd

In the file there is two users that are interesting:

root:x:0:0::/root:/bin/bash
nalle:x:1001:0:Nalle Berg:/home/nalle:/bin/bash

Delete the x (ther might be some cryptic signs on the same place if you don't use shadow passwords - delete them in that case.

After that you can log in without password (just press enter when the login prompts for password.

Then, once logged in, you can run the program "passwd" to set a new password (remember the old password is just an enter).

If you are note able to log in as root, you can either boot using the parameter single (as Linux single when you load the lilo loader). Som e distros ask for password then too.

If that is the case, you will have to use a one disk distro, tomsrtbt - you can find it at: http://www.toms.net/rb/
Then you mount the hdd (use mount -t ext2 /dev/hdx /folder [where x is the name of your hdd and /folder is a folder you created using mkdir /folder]). Then you will bew root on your entire system. the system. That should enable you to edit the /folder/etc/passwd as explained above. That should solve your problem.

Good luck :eek: :eek: null

[New2Linuxtoo]

Originally posted by nalleberg:
I think you've done something wrong when you created the password.

Thanks Nalle, I think so too, but could be
more specific on what possibly I could do wrong during the installation?

If you are able to log in as root, you can edit /etc/passwd

No, I can't to log in with root...

In the file there is two users that are interesting:

root:x:0:0::/root:/bin/bash
nalle:x:1001:0:Nalle Berg:/home/nalle:/bin/bash

Delete the x (ther might be some cryptic signs on the same place if you don't use shadow passwords - delete them in that case.

After that you can log in without password (just press enter when the login prompts for password.

Then, once logged in, you can run the program "passwd" to set a new password (remember the old password is just an enter).

If you are note able to log in as root, you can either boot using the parameter single (as Linux single when you load the lilo loader). Som e distros ask for password then too.

What is parameter single? How do I find it,
I'm real clueless.

Once again, Thank you.

If that is the case, you will have to use a one disk distro, tomsrtbt - you can find it at: http://www.toms.net/rb/
Then you mount the hdd (use mount -t ext2 /dev/hdx /folder [where x is the name of your hdd and /folder is a folder you created using mkdir /folder]). Then you will bew root on your entire system. the system. That should enable you to edit the /folder/etc/passwd as explained above. That should solve your problem.

Good luck :eek: :eek: null

[Linuxcool]

When you are at the graphical login, try pressing keys CTRL-ALT-F1 and hopefully you'll get a console screen. Try logging in there.
If that doesn't work, try this. When you boot up your computer and if you get the "LILO boot:" prompt, then type in "linux single" ,without the "'s, then press enter. If you're lucky, you'll get a console screen.
I hope this helps.

[Derango]

out of curiousity, is your keyboard USB? Mandrake might be having trouble with it.

Can you type in anything, or does the name appear after you click one of the user icons on the Mandrake login screen.

[DavidHaze]

Have you tried CLICKING the mouse cursor on the password field and then typing the password?