Unix Tipz & Tricz

Load the Solaris cdrom (This does not have to be the same Solaris version as the machine.)

Take the machine down to the PROM level – (OK Prompt)

# init 0 (or halt)

When it comes down to the OK prompt -

OK boot cdrom -s

When it is back up -

# mount /dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0  /a (your root device/partition)

# fsck /dev/dsk/c0t0d0s0  (optional, if you can't mount disk)

# cd /a/etc

# TERM=vt100;export TERM

# vi shadow and remove second field on root line

The root line should like -

root::12345::::::  (it must start root:: the other values are not important)

wq! (or x!)

init 6 (or reboot)

When the machine comes back up -

passwd (set a new root password)