Help with Linux please

[emjaiuk]

I have a Dell Inspiration which runs Linux Mint 19, Cinnamon 32bit which I haven't used it for some time. When I went to use it there's a problem with the password. I THOUGHT I'd originally set it up with a blank password, but that doesn't work, neither do any of my usual passwords. The weird thing is that if I switch the laptop on from shut down it boots up and is usable without asking for a password. If however it goes to sleep. upon being woken it demands a password. Although the laptop is perfectly useable from switch on, it has become a problem since Update Manager wont let me update without the password.

Any suggestions?

 

[kevenh]

I have a Dell Inspiration which runs Linux Mint 19, Cinnamon 32bit which I haven't used it for some time. When I went to use it there's a problem with the password. I THOUGHT I'd originally set it up with a blank password, but that doesn't work, neither do any of my usual passwords. The weird thing is that if I switch the laptop on from shut down it boots up and is usable without asking for a password. If however it goes to sleep. upon being woken it demands a password. Although the laptop is perfectly useable from switch on, it has become a problem since Update Manager wont let me update without the password.

Any suggestions?

Set a new password when you’ve logged in from Shutdown.
Root user can do that for other users with out knowing the old password.
Well, that’s the way around forgotten passwords in CENTOS 6/7
Edit. Commands entered from the CLI! I don’t get a GUI in my typical Lynux install

 

[63720]

Can you change the settings in Power(?) to shut down instead of going to sleep?

 

[emjaiuk]

Set a new password when you’ve logged in from Shutdown.
Root user can do that for other users with out knowing the old password.
Well, that’s the way around forgotten passwords in CENTOS 6/7
Edit. Commands entered from the CLI! I don’t get a GUI in my typical Lynux install

Sorry, I didn't really understand any of that. I think need fairly detailed instructions as to how to change the administrators password.

 

[emjaiuk]

Can you change the settings in Power(?) to shut down instead of going to sleep?

That won't help with access to Software Manager though, and I'm sure I'll find other areas that need the PW

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[kevenh]

Sorry, I didn't really understand any of that. I think need fairly detailed instructions as to how to change the administrators password.

It was a description rather than a step by step guide.
Mostly so you'd either know how to interpret the info and solve your problem or ask for details.

What I described is simple if you're familiar with the command line of Linux & other OS.
I avoid logging in as root and usually temporarily elevate my usual user to issue config changes.

How to alter a none-root user's password without knowing the old password does need root privileges.
Have a look at these instructions.
Specifically the section with this paragraph:

If you are logged in as a root user, you can change the password of other system users by typing the passwd command followed by the name of the user whose password you want to change

What do you think? Does that look OK for you to try?

edit: Is root the user you've lost the password for? Oh!! HO, may need to find more instructions

 

[kevenh]

Well, resetting a root password IS rocket science: https://phoenixnap.com/kb/how-to-change-root-password-linux#ftoc-heading-12

 

[Gellyneck]

If you've no data on it that you need (or can copy it off when you have access) just to a clean install of Mint Cinnamon 20.2 (the latest version and comes in a 32bit version if that's what you need) and when installing either leave password blank or insert one you'll remember.
Unless you've got loads of "non-standard" software on it it will only take half an hour or so to have it up running with latest version.

 

[Gromett]

I have a Dell Inspiration which runs Linux Mint 19, Cinnamon 32bit which I haven't used it for some time. When I went to use it there's a problem with the password. I THOUGHT I'd originally set it up with a blank password, but that doesn't work, neither do any of my usual passwords. The weird thing is that if I switch the laptop on from shut down it boots up and is usable without asking for a password. If however it goes to sleep. upon being woken it demands a password. Although the laptop is perfectly useable from switch on, it has become a problem since Update Manager wont let me update without the password.

Any suggestions?

Sorry I missed this when you posted it originally. If you haven't sorted it out yet there is a simple way to fix this.

I was starting to type it all in, but thought someone must have posted a basic tutorial on how to do this.

Here it is. It is the main answer with images you should look at. It is really easy to do.

You can change any <username> password including root using this method.

How do I reset a lost administrative password?

I'm working on a Ubuntu system, and my client has completely forgotten his administrative password. He doesn't even remember entering one; however it is there. I've tried the suggestions on the we...

askubuntu.com

 

[emjaiuk]

If you've no data on it that you need (or can copy it off when you have access) just to a clean install of Mint Cinnamon 20.2 (the latest version and comes in a 32bit version if that's what you need) and when installing either leave password blank or insert one you'll remember.
Unless you've got loads of "non-standard" software on it it will only take half an hour or so to have it up running with latest version.

This is what I ended up doing. The longest time was spent installing Opera, which I like for auto translate.

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