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I have received a laptop from school but i can't download anything because there is a root password on it.

I already used the GRUB screen by clicking on the shift button but the '(recovery mode)' line isn't in the menu.

Is there a way to reinstall ubuntu or delete the root password without having it?

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2 Answers 2

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If indicated by Harris, it does not work try:

Download Ubuntu iso image.

Burn it to a Dvd or Usb.

Start Computer / reboot computer.

Make sure BIOS is set to boot from Dvd/Usb

Put your Ubuntu Live-Dvd/Usb

Now booting will start from Ubuntu Live-Dvd/Usb

You will see two option screen - select Try it

You will system is booting in to Live-session

Open a terminal

Find out your root partition

sudo su
fdisk -l

Suppose it is /dev/sda1, run the following commands:

mount /dev/sda1 /mnt
mount --bind /dev /mnt/dev 
mount --bind /dev/pts /mnt/dev/pts
mount --bind /proc /mnt/proc
mount --bind /sys /mnt/sys
chroot /mnt

Note: Replace /dev/sda1, for its partition.

Chroot is an operation that changes the apparent root directory (live-session) for the current running process (hard disk installation).

Now you can change the root password:

passwd
Enter new UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
passwd: password updated successfully

If you want to change password for Ubuntu user:

passwd user-name
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  • but because the laptop is locked by school i can't use commands on terminal with 'sudo' ... Sep 11, 2014 at 14:16
  • @pleasureguy You can use sudo commands freely in a Live session (which you get by booting from DVD/USB)
    – user423626
    Apr 13, 2016 at 17:58
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You can edit the existing boot entry to replace quiet splash with recovery nomodeset. In grub, you need to press e to go into edit mode and after editing F10 to boot.

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