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I received a laptop that runs Ubuntu from a friend who passed away. I dont have any login for them and am not able to change any settings. Pmeaae help me factory reset

Anton Haddix
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    Sorry to hear about your friend's passing. I think will need to reinstall Ubuntu – George Udosen May 07 '20 at 21:41
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    Two ways of doing it. The easiest one is to download a newer version of Ubuntu do a install of it. Instructions and download ISOs are at Ubuntu.com. Second way requires an Ubuntu ISO also, burned to USB and then googling how to change forgotten password. If you know any specs of computer we can give some advice on what Ubuntu version/desktop would work well. Some versions have lighter requirements. – crip659 May 07 '20 at 21:58
  • If there's any data which should be preserved on that system, you can do that with an Ubuntu LiveUSB drive. Please let us know if you need to do that; otherwise, please let us know the make and model part number of the PC, which is obtained from the serial number sticker. – K7AAY May 07 '20 at 22:05
  • Please see my answer. If it's helpful, please remember to accept it by clicking the checkmark icon that appears just to the left of my answer. Thanks! – heynnema May 07 '20 at 22:13
  • Does this answer your question? How do I reset a lost administrative password? – karel May 08 '20 at 01:30

3 Answers3

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Try this...

  • boot the computer to the GRUB menu
  • choose the 2nd item on the list... "Additional Options"
  • choose "Recovery Mode"
  • choose "Root Access"
  • if it doesn't ask for a password, just hit the ENTER key
  • if it does ask for a password, try "root" or "admin"
  • you should be at the # prompt
  • type ls -al /home
  • note the previous owners name... let's say it's "joe"
  • type sudo passwd joe
  • type a new password twice
  • type reboot
  • at the Ubuntu login screen, select "joe"
  • enter the new password that you created earlier
  • go to User settings
  • create a new ADMIN account for yourself
  • log out
  • log into your own account
heynnema
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If you don't know the password you are wasting your time resting the root password...and you don't have to remember the login password ...just install another ubuntu or any linux distribution ....

Mezen sboui
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I would recommend creating a bootable USB of Ubuntu using the tutorial here. After that, you can plug the USB drive in and enter the computer's BIOS before the operating system loads (normally the key to do this is F1, F2, F10, or DELETE as the computer is booting up). You can select boot from USB and begin a new install on the computer.

zx485
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theastronomist
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