Fedora 9 root password mismatch resolution
Having started my journey down the command-line with Fedora 3, I was excited to try out Fedora 9. The install completed with ease (the first time around) but once I logged onto the system and attempted to configure some of the system settings, my root password didn’t work.
Why? CAPS LOCK bit was set by default during the install process making a different root password.
I installed the system from the Fedora 9 PPC Install DVD on my aging, yet still fully functional Apple G4 PowerBook. I was about to start fussing with the network when I discovered my root password was not being honored. I chalked this up to a bad install and tried to install the system again. Twice the install failed with an unknown error I did not try to decipher because I didn’t want to invest the time in a second issue. Simple resolution for the unknown error was to erased the entire drive, repartition, reinstall the Mac OS X system from a NetBoot DMG I made prior to trotting down the Fedora 9 install, and set the Fedora 9 PPC DVD installer to have a go at the Apple G4 portable again.
For a second time the root password was unavailable. Staring at the login in screen I took note of the host name written in ALL CAPS. This had bugged me a little when I had typed the host name in at the networking configuration screen during the install but I had not given it much worry as I knew the host name could be changed at post install if needed. I dropped into the command-line from the GUI (CTRL+ALT+F1) so I could lessen the variables and tried my root password a few more times in frustration. This is when it hit me, the host name is still in ALL CAPS. The CAPS LOCK bit was on by default throughout the entire install process.
I clicked on the caps lock and typed my root password, wa’la, issue resolved.
Next on the list: Wifi/WPA, … sigh, it never works well in linux.
Open Directory and .htpasswd
Fascinating! I worked on a project* once that involved a complete rewrite of the command-line utility passwd in order to keep a number of system services including a .htpasswd file in sync with users account passwords. Mac OS X Hints noted this is made simple with Mac OS X Leopard (10.5) and Open Directory.
Virtualized Xserver
Media Temple labs has a private beta for what it’s calling Xserve-Virtual . This system has been added quickly added to my MT wish list along with the Django GridContainer which, perhaps I wont need if I move over to a full-on-mirror of my development environment using a virtual OS X Server.
A virtual Mac OS X Leopard Server running on a fully loaded cluster of Xserves virtualized using Parallels Server . I want one, … or three, … yeah that should be enough …. maybe four, for symmetry.
Fedora 9 root password mismatch resolution
Having started my journey down the command-line with Fedora 3, I was excited to try out Fedora 9. The install completed with ease (the first time around) but once I logged onto the system and attempted to configure some of the system settings, my root password didn’t work.
Why? CAPS LOCK bit was set by default during the install process making a different root password.