Re: [cobalt-users] Locked Out Of Cobalt Server

["WebFusion System Administrator" <graeme.f@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chad wrote:

> I figured that out for myself. I need to know how to get it back
though.

You'll need to either:

(a) find the culprit and torture the passwords out of them... or
(b) boot the machine single-user and see what it tells you:

1. Find another machine (laptop perhaps) with serial port free.
2. Find a null-modem serial cable
3. Connect the two together via their serial ports (use port 1 on the
RaQ)
4. Run a terminal emulator on the other machine (whatever takes your
fancy)
5. Reboot the RaQ. At the start of the boot sequence press 'space' when
it says to and you will enter ROM mode - similar to the BIOS on a PC.
6. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'boot' <return>
7. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'set_params "single"' <return>
8. type (not the enclosing quotes) 'bfd' <return>
9. wait for the prompt. You are now in single user mode .
10. cd /etc
11. ls -l passwd*

with any luck here you may have two (or more) files. Look for 'passwd-'
and check the time on it. You should be able to copy this file over the
existing password file and get back in. (Use 'cp /etc/passwd-
/etc/passwd' followed by 'cp /etc/shadow- /etc/shadow' and respond 'y'
to both prompts).

Failing that, use the 'passwd' command as follows:
passwd admin
<enter admin password twice>
passwd
<enter root password twice>

then hit CTRL-D and you will resume normal operation. If this doesn't
work then... I'd be very surprised.

Sounds like your 'programmer' either has tried to take control of your
machine (very naughty) or has broken /etc/passwd by mistake (just plain
stupid).

Hope this helps.

Best Wishes,

Graeme Fowler
Systems Administrator
graeme.f@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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