Locked Out of FreeBSD 5.2 - Newbie

PROBLEM: I can't get in to my system.

Well, I took the plunge and loaded 5.2 (cd iso) with the FreeBSD Handbook
beside me. Everything went pretty well and I even got DHCP going. I loaded
all sorts of Packages, Ports, etc., discovered that loading xfmail-1.5.4_1
conflicts with qt-3.2.1 (and ends KDE loading). I set up a group and user
accounts as well.

However, the first problem I noticed was after the first reboot (system
install). During the installation, the load had prompted for me to set the
root password. I did this. After all the tasks were completed and the
system prompted to reboot, after all the log in information, the system came
back with the login prompt. I logged as root, hit enter (expecting to see
the Password prompt. Instead, it went ahead and let me in as root. VERY
STRANGE!

So, I typed "passwd root" and set the root password again.

Note: I have now done a full reload two times with the same problem.

Here is what I did:

I did a "startx" and went in to my default KDE desktop (no problem).

I started a console and di some "/usr/sbin/sysinstall" stuff of the
ftp.freebsd.org site.

I went into the Kconsole application to set my user ID to su and everything
else I could think of so that I would not risk the system. THIS IS WHERE
THINGS WENT STRANGE IN THAT IT GAVE ME MESSAGES I DON'T REMEMBER ABOUT
SETTING UP A NEW MASTER.PASSWD FILE SOMEWHERE. I thought it was just
modifying the files that the system originally set up.

I added a line to the rc.conf file to see the private network behind the
router so I could share files with the Linux and WinXP boxes.

I then logged out of KDE and issued a "shutdown -h (or -p) now" command to
reboot.

When restarting the messages flashing across the screen stated that it could
not recognize "root" as a user, nor any user as a user.

At the login prompt, none of my users or root are recognized!!! Help.

What can I do to get back into the system?? What is going on? How do I
prevent this from happening again? The FreeBSD handbook does not discuss
this under Security or Users and Basic Account Management.

Any help would be very much appreciated

Mickey

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 20:57:11 +0000, Mickey wrote:

>
> What can I do to get back into the system??

This I can help with - boot up in single user mode. Select it from the
beastie menu if you have it (you should in 5.2). Otherwise type boot -s at
the boot prompt. You'll need to mount disks read/write and stuff. I think
this is all covered in the handbook.

> What is going on? How do I
> prevent this from happening again?

I have no idea here. Sounds like the password file has got messed up
somewhere. Maybe try backing up etc and copying a new version from
/usr/src (assuming you have the source installed?).

Mark