Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!samsung!umich!sharkey!cfctech!teemc!ka3ovk!tcsc3b2!pag From: pag@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com (Philip A. Gross) Newsgroups: comp.sys.att Subject: Re: Breaking into a 3B2/310 Message-ID: <1990Jan16.183153.3256@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com> Date: 16 Jan 90 18:31:53 GMT References: <1990Jan13.163626.3105@smsc.sony.com> Organization: The Computer Solution Company, Inc. Lines: 79 dce@smsc.sony.com (David Elliott) writes: >We recently purchased a used 3B2/310 to use as a comparison machine for >our port of SVR4. The machine has not been used in a while, and it's >missing a few cables and adapters, but it does come up. The problem is >that the default init state is set to 2, and the previous owners have >no idea what the root password is. I made some educated guesses, but >that's futile. >We are also missing the manuals, so we can't RTFM to find out how to >force it into single-user mode. >Can anyone out there help me get this machine to a state where we can >change the root password? I assume that you have the full set of UN*X software for the machine. If so, then proceed as follows: Power-up the machine, when the 'DIAGNOSTICS' message is displayed on the console, press the RESET button on the back of the machine. Whereupon it eventually gives you a 'SYSTEM FAILURE' error message, ignore this. Insert the Essential Utilities Diskette #1 which you will find among the UN*X OS diskettes. Then type the firware password (usually 'mcp') and get the following prompt: Enter name of program to execute[]: Enter /unix. Whereupon, you will see the following displayed: Possible load devices are: Option Number Slot Name ----------------------------- 0 0 FD5 1 1 HD72 Enter Load Device Option Number [1 (HD72)]: Here, you should enter 0. After some time, the system will eventually boot off of the diskette and present you with information regarding performing a Full Restore, Partial Restore, Upgrade, etc. At this point, you can perform a partial restore, which will restore some of the essential files and configurations of the system, including the /etc/passwd file. Another option is to type 'magic mode' at the prompt. The system will respond 'POOF!' and present you with another prompt which lists 'shell' as an option. If you enter 'shell' at the prompt, the system will then present you with the '#' UN*X prompt. Remember that you are booted on the floppy drive and only have a limited set of commands. For instance, use 'echo *' in place of the non-existant 'ls' command. In order to edit the /etc/passwd file on the root filesystem of the 3B2, you will need to mount the root filesystem to the floppy disk by typing mount /dev/dsk/c1d0s0 $HARD (BTW, type 'set' to get a listing of your environment). At this point you can edit the $HARD/etc/passwd using the 'ed' editor to delete the password for root. After you have finished, unmount the root filesystem by typing 'unmount /dev/dsk/c1d0s0' and then exit, whereupon you will be returned to the original menu prompt. From here, you can 'quit' and then reboot the system. =============================================================================== Philip A. Gross The Computer Solution Co., Inc. Voice: 804-794-3491 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNET: pag@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com USENET: ...!tcsc3b2!pag UUCP: tcsc3b2!pag (804)794-1514 ATTMAIL: attmail!tcsc3b2!pag ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The opinions expressed here are strictly mine and nobody elses. << I haven't heard what I have to say about that yet. >> :-) -- =============================================================================== Philip A. Gross The Computer Solution Co., Inc. Voice: 804-794-3491 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERNET: pag@tcsc3b2.tcsc.com