Hi all…
I have just been given a pc complete with Linux!?..
It came with Linux for Dummies book…!
I have the gist of things i think…
However,the person jt belonged to died,and various family members had attempted to get into the system protected by the late users password,but had no success…on reading the manual,i believed i could get around this as i had done a similar task on Windows Vista…
sadly i could not even access the page needed in order to try this…the start up process seems…well scrambled for want of a better word.i couldn’t even reach the ‘blue screen’ in order to carry out bypassing the password.
i have done a similar recovery task on Windows but nothing i tried had any effect…I know this may be an expert only prob…but that will cost me money i don’t have at present…
I’m assured the pc was working fine before…
This is a loaded request i know…!!! but any ideas/tips ? would be much appreciated.i’m no expert,just an enthusiastic learner…
Thanks so much
Terri…
Hi Terri50, and welcome to the forum 
What are you tryng to do with the system … get it working again (password reset), or just access what’s on it ?
Be aware, resetting the password shouldn’t be too difficult, but if the home folder was encrypted the chances of getting the data off it are slim at best.
If all you want is the data (files/pics/etc.) you best bet would probably be to use a LiveCD to gain access to the file system.
Do you know which Linux distribution it is ? (examples - Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora, Suse, Arch, etc.)
hi.
thankyou for responding mark
i’m just interested in getting the system up and running again.not bothered about retreiving anything of the late users info…
i thought bypassing the password would be fairly simple according to the manual…however the 'blue screen; i was told would appear…did not…!every time i boot up the pc.it goes on and on with lost-interrupted for ages,i only diverted it once by quickly typing in linux noapic!!!
that took me straight to login user page,which of course i couldnt not having any info on password.! i.m not sure if its a technical problem,i feel it may be something simple i’m not understanding…i’ve done a similar thing with windows and i managed that ok…linux is completely new to me.i eventually want to replace with windows at some point if i cant get on with linux…sorry to sound like a total nerd!! and all i know is its Linux mandrake ??
thanks again.Terri
When you turn on the PC, do you get offered either the Lilo or GRUB boot menu … similar to the first 2 pictures here:
http://linuxgazette.net/107/tomar.html
?