With FreeBSD version 5.4 and above the booting procedure is slightly changed. The older version of FreeBSD uses the boot -s option at Ok prompt. However, with FreeBSD version FreeBSD 5.4+ you don't have to type any commands. Here is the procedure to boot FreeBSD into a single user mode to reset root password.
In this tip I will explain how to boot FreeBSD into a single user mode to reset root password.
Procedure: Reset FreeBSD root user password
Step # 1: Start FreeBSD server/workstation.
Step # 2: Press Enter key at boot loader.
At Welcome to FreeBSD! boot menu press spacebar key to pause default booting
Type number 4 key (type 4 number) to boot into single user mode
(click to enlarge)
Next you will see the following prompt from system:
When prompted Enter full pathname of shell or RETURN for /bin/sh:
Press Enter key to boot into a single user mode. Next, you will be immediately dropped into a single user mode without a root password.
You need to remount / (root) file system in read and write mode with mount command, type the following commands:
# mount -u /
# mount -a
Setup a new password with the passwd command for root user:
# passwd
Next type exit command to boot FreeBSD into multi-user mode environment:
# exit
OR You can just reboot the system:
# sync;sync
# reboot
For more information see man pages of passwd and mount commands.
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{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Dear Vivik:
I can execute this instruction with version 6 but doesn’t work with lower versions.
Is there any site that you can provide.
Thanks,
Tamayekiyan
FreeBSD 4.x/5.x
Allow FreeBSD to boot system and mount file system
mount -u /if /usr is on separate partition, mount /usr too:
mount /usrNow change password
passwd rootsync;syncHit CTRL+D.
Note that if the console was set as insecure in
/etc/ttys file. If so you will need to boot from a CD / floppy into fixit mode. Next mount your hard-disk read-write to continue the repair.
Dear nixcraft:
I booted with freebsd 6.1 cd and proceed to sysinstall. I selected FIXIT and I got a root prompt at vty4.
I have done the above instruction, after typing a command in the root # prompt; the system says: command not found.
then I typed mount -u / – still i got command not found error. If i type ls, it will display command not found as well. If I type pwd – system say / (currently in the root directory).
Am able to cd change directory to /usr and other subdirectory with no problems but mounting such device/directory – I have no luck at all.
looking forward for your advises.
Tamayekiyan.
I’ve had the same problem, but when tried
/sbin/mount -u /
it worked!
i followed the stept and it’s telling me that /usr was not properly dismounted
help pls!!!
i was follow all steps, but when i put in console the command “passwd” or “passwd root”, return me
passwd: unknown user root.
Please!!! help me!!!!!
Thanks for this post! I’m glad that I can use this to my problem on FreeBSD. I really forgot my password and I need to access the root (it’s the only user for the server and I need to fix it).
Hi.
When i boot in single mode
he ask me password for root or press ^D to go multi user.
Can help?
How can I protect myself against others who want to get root privileges this way?
Password protect FreeBSD boot loader
Dont change password
error:
pwd_mkdb: warning, unknown root shell
Helped me. Thank you.
Thanks for the post. It saved me alot of headache
Thanks a lot
Thanks, it worked ;-)