How do I find out what my root password is??!!

othello · July 24, 2002 9:18AM

I've just downloaded a copy of NFSManager, because I want to try out mounting a couple of our linux and netware servers using NFS.

I have to click the 'unlock to make changes' button to start, then it asks me for the root password to make changes to '/'. The username is set to root, but I've never set a root password. I have one user set-up (which is me), and I'm allowed to adminstrate the computer. This is the first time I've got asked for the root password.

Any ideas anyone? (I'm running 10.1.5 by the way...)

jambo · July 24, 2002 9:20AM

You need to enable the root user:

Run (double-click) Applications / Utilities / Netinfo Manager

[menubar] Domain / Security / Authenticate - provide a root user (I used my default loginname)

[menubar] Domain / Security / Enable Root User - provide a non-trivial password

J :cool:

pyr3 · July 24, 2002 9:25AM

Root is the idea from UNIX. Just like the root directory is the very top of the directory structure, the root user is the very top of the user hierarchy. Root user is more powerful than even an administrator. Chances are you are changing something that could damage your system ( I dunno though, I'm not a mac person yet ... waiting for my TiBook ). I haven't read how to set the root password in OSX. Try searching the web for that. If you had already set a root password and lost it, that would be a different story. There are a couple of hacks to get root password, but if you did not set it then that won't help.

othello · July 24, 2002 9:29AM

[quote]Originally posted by Jamie:

<strong>You need to enable the root user:

Run (double-click) Applications / Utilities / Netinfo Manager

[menubar] Domain / Security / Authenticate - provide a root user (I used my default loginname)

[menubar] Domain / Security / Enable Root User - provide a non-trivial password

J :cool: </strong><hr></blockquote>

i did the 'authenticate' bit, and entered my default username and password.

but going to domain > security > doesn't give me the 'enable root user' option. when i try and make changes in NFSmanager it says the log-in was correct but i don't have write permissions for /

<img src="confused.gif" border="0">

pusherman · July 24, 2002 9:46AM

Here's how I did it. It may be roundabout, but it worked.

Start NetInfo manager. Click the lock at the bottom of the window to make changes (just like the window says). Just use your own username and password, assuming you're an admin (if you set up the computer, you are.)

In the top part of the window, "Directory Browser," navigate to "users," then select your name. In this screenshot that would be "matt."

In the bottom half of the window, scroll down until you see the passwd field (highlighted in this picture). Double click on the gibberish in the "value" field. That's your regular password, just encrypted. Hilight it and copy it to the clipboard.

Then go back to the top window and select the root user from the same list you found your name. In the bottom half of the window, once again scroll down until you find the passwd property. The value for passwd will probably be blank. Either way, just double click the value for passwd, and paste the encrypted password from your account in.

Go to the "Domain" menu and select Save to save your changes.

Sorry, it's early so I hope all that made sense.

othello · July 24, 2002 9:54AM

a big shout out to poor taylor!!!! you star!!!! that worked a treat.

pusherman · July 24, 2002 10:01AM

Excellent!

Glad to help :cool:

How do I find out what my root password is??!!

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