Setting a fresh Linux root password on a KVM VPS

Iztok Zavcer Updated by Iztok Zavcer

Set a New Password by booting your EDIS Linux VPS in Single-User Mode

EDIS does not install KVM guest drivers in its virtual machines. You receive authentic OS images, without any open doors. This comes at the price though. It is not possible to change the root password from the administration panel. Nevertheless, it is possible to set a new password after booting the machine in single-user mode using VNC.

Follow these easy steps if you no longer have access to your Linux operating system and you need to set a fresh KVM root password.

  1. Start by Enabling VNC from the KVM-Panel. VNC is a kind of "remote access to your server's keyboard and screen".
  2. Lauch noVNC session
  3. Reboot your VPS
  4. Press any key to enter the Grub (boot loader) menu, once the following screen shows
  1. Press ‘e’ on your keyboard to edit the kernel boot options.
  1. Highlight the second stanzas (line) and press ‘e’ again.
  1. You will now be able to edit the line highlighted in the previous step. Simply add ‘1’ at the end of the line as indicated in the following screenshot, then confirm pressing Enter.
  1. Now you see the Grub stanzas as shown in step 5.

Press ‘b’ to continue booting, using the modified configuration. Linux will now boot into single-user mode, allowing for some special administrative tasks. (This will provide you with root access without the need to enter the root password) and can be used to set a new root password. Once the system is up and running type the following command to update the root password:

passwd root

You will be asked to enter a new password for the user root.

  1. Once finished, reboot your VPS and you will be able to use the newly set root password

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