Solved: Encrypted Linux mint 17.1 username forgotten

The laptop concerned is Lenovo T60 bought second hand in 2008.

On booting my encrypted Linux mint 17.1 the message returned is: 'incorrect username or password'. I do remember the encryption pass and the actual second pass needed, the username is the problem. I tried various combinations but to no avail.

I decide to try and overwrite the works to solve the problem, using unebootin on a fat32 formatted flash. I got to the screen that offered recovery mode and entered that, entered passphrase as needed and reached the recovery menu. I scrolled 'to drop root prompt' next and pressed enter. When I tried to type in characters did not register on screen. At this stage I am completely stuck.

In my fiddling I came across request for root password, but that I do not have. (My son keeps telling me that I should not fiddle)

I think I need to format the lot and start again. How do I initiate the formatting of the drive? Currently I do not have the answer.

Thankyou.

 

Normally, unless you have messed about, your username is set automatically. If the name was John Smith the username would be john (NOTE that there is no capital letter in the username. Linux is case sensitive and unforgiving.)

You do not need to format the hard disk. You just need to re-install. Linux Mint will take care of any formatting.

This Forum has rules against telling people how to reset their password

 

Hi,
By default, when you enter p/w in Linux terminal no characters appear on the screen.

Richard.

 

I tried to reinstall from usb. (My initial loading of the os was from flash drive). On all attempts it simply arrives at the screen: Recovery menu (file system state: read only). From here there is no option to reload the os. Looks as though i am overlooking something critical.

 

Have you changed the Boot Order/BIOS so it boots from USB first, before the Hard Drive?

 

My boot order at the moment is:
1: USB FDD:
2: ATAPI CDO: DVD/CDRW UJDA775-(PM)
3: USB CD:
4: ATA HDDO; HTS721060SAOO-[S1)
5: PC LAN:
6: +USB HDD
7: ATA HDD1:
8:

Excluded from boot order:
: ATA HDD2:
: ATAPI CD1:

I have tried various sequences of order with no luck. I must admit though that some of the meanings on the abbreviations leave me flummoxed. Just plain USB is not mentioned.

Thank you.

 

In the end I booted from DVD and resolved the issue.

 

Glad you got it sorted.