Re: [suse-security] Hexediting on a unmountable filesystem?

[Mark Andrews <mandrews@xxxxxxx>]

Rikard Johnels wrote:

> Hello list.
> Complicated question:
>
> I have a old SGI box with an installed IRIX 5.something, that i got for free a 
> while back.
>
> Problem: No root passsword. Only "Guest" account access.
> Linux cant read the older 5.x XFS system Thus having an unmountable 
> filesystem. So i can't mount it and change the password manually.
>  
I used to maintain IRIX systems and it sounds like you've got IRIX 5.2 
or 5.3. The native
filesystem was efs; don't think xfs appeared until IRIX 6.X.

In your situation, I'd start an installation from the installation 
media, enter a root shell
and blank out the root password.

I haven't seen IRIX 5.X installation media for a *long* time.

One thing you can try to is boot to single user mode, but I'm pretty 
sure IRIX will prompt
for the root password. I can't remember. The steps to boot into single 
user mode depend
on the version of the PROM. Turn the machine on and hit the <ESC> key 
multiple times
to interrupt the boot cycle. You should see a menu system which allows 
you to "Enter
the Command prompt" (or similar). This will put you in PROM mode where 
the prompt
is ">>".

At the prompt, type the word "single" and press Enter. If the PROM 
indicates that it is
an unknown command, try the following command sequence instead:

 >> boot
 sash: boot initstate=s

where ">>" and "sash:" are command prompts. If you're lucky, IRIX will 
drop you into
a single user root shell. Otherwise, it will prompt for the root password.

If you don't care about the contents of the disk, your best bet is to 
perform a fresh installation.

I've got an SGI Indy at home with IRIX 6.5.22 installed and it works 
fine. Your only problem is
getting a copy of the installation media.

Should you need help performing the installation, take a look at the 
docs at techpub.sgi.com or
let me know.

Good luck

--
Check the headers for your unsubscription address
For additional commands, e-mail: suse-security-help@xxxxxxxx
Security-related bug reports go to security@xxxxxxx, not here