Authentication failed

assuming redhat linux
can u login in using "root"???
if this is your machine and lilo is installed...you can say "linux single" when the text lilo prompt is on screen.
if u get colorful lilo with penguin on screen.
press control+x to get to the text prompt.

if u can boot into single mode...you can edit /ec/passwd file and remove the password for an user by deleting the junk part (between two :) from the line which corresponds to the user's name (be careful)

after u save and reboot, that user will not asked for password. and u can again change it to whatever u want from the command prompt.

make cure u copy /etc/passwd file as a backup if in case u edit it wrongly.

do not edit your /etc/passwd to remove the entry for a password, assuming you do get it right and setup no pasword that means once you get on the net anyone who tries to get in as that user can do it with no password!

Ok, when you created the user did you create a password for them? Otherwise the account is disabled be default, which is whyt you cant login.

useradd test
passwd test
<enter password 2x>

now you should be able to login

hi ,
   U are mostlikely to have forgotten the Passwd or key in the wrong thing.Remember, LINUX and all UNIX are Uppercase and lowercase counts.I advice for newbie , u should use easy passwd or u write it down during the installation ,so u wont be wrong .
   As for other choice, boot into single usermode as advice by the former answerlist.

 

n_k_n:
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