No ubuntu advanced options in grub menu.

[justmeg]

Hi
I erased pre-installed windose 8 on laptop, then installed Ubuntu 13.4 secure remix, to dual boot with a kids distro Qimo.

I installed all the personal data and settings then promptly forgot the password. I tried to enter recovery mode on both Ubuntu & Qimo but neither will open to allow me into root.

I installed qimo & ubuntu in legacy mode. The bios on the laptop is Efi so I disabled fast boot & secure boot and enabled CSM .
The grub config. is as follows:

Linux 2.6 . 32 . 21 generic Linux 2.6.32 .21 (Recovery mode)
mem test (mem test 86+) mem test (mem test 86+) serial console 115200.
This is 1st boot which is Qimo

1) Ubuntu --class ubuntu --class GNU Linux --class Gnu -class OS Gnu
2) Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0.30 generic --class Ubuntu --class Gnu Linux
3) Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0.30 generic (recovery mode) -- class Ubuntu
4) Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0.19 generic --class Ubuntu --class gnu Linux
5) Ubuntu with Linux 3.8.0.19 generic (Recovery Mode) --class Ubuntu _

As indicated no Ubuntu Advanced Options.

I tried all the items listed as "Recovery mode". All items have a right pointing arrow at the end of each line. I tried using the arrow key, enter key, and shift with both the arrow and enter keys but nothing worked. All produced just a blank screen.
The arrow key & enter key booted to both OS ok.
Is there any other way to enter root to change passwords please.??
Has this been caused by Efi bios (another attempt by windows to mess up Linux)
My PC dual booting win 7 and Ubuntu 13.04 enters root option via Ubuntu advanced options/recovery. Any ideas please. Just dont want to have to re-install Ubuntu. Thanks.

[purplepenguin]

Try changing to, or booting into single user mode (runlevel 1). You will have a root prompt where you can change passwd.

Good Luck

[justmeg]

Thanks PP. very new to Linux so please could you explain how to do this.

Cant find much on the forums or internet relating to this so just wondered if it was a bit unusual???

Thanks again

[purplepenguin]

Just thought of another maybe easier way.

if you can boot the OS as normal, open a terminal and

Code: Select all

SU (to become root)

Then type:

Code: Select all

 passed (username)

You should be prompted as follows

Code: Select all

Changing local password for [username]
New Password:
Retype New Password:

[justmeg]

Sorry PP didnt work. Requires existing password to generate new one. Back to the problem cant remember the pw that I initially used. What a plonker !!! When one is the wrong side of 70 these senile moments occur.

Please define how to do this ref: your previous post.

T

ry changing to, or booting into single user mode (runlevel 1). You will have a root prompt where you can change passwd.

Again many thanks for your help and patience.

[justmeg]

Found where I had written it. had tried it many time without success but then realised that I had entered it in caps.

Used your post to change it to lower case.

I would still like to try to find out why the recovery mode does not work so will keep trying.

again many thanks for your help. meg

[purplepenguin]

Sorry PP didnt work. Requires existing password to generate new one. Back to the problem cant remember the pw that I initially used. What a plonker !!! When one is the wrong side of 70 these senile moments occur.

Please define how to do this ref: your previous post.

T

ry changing to, or booting into single user mode (runlevel 1). You will have a root prompt where you can change passwd.

Again many thanks for your help and patience.

To boot into single user mode:

At Grub highlight the OS your after.
Press "e" to edit.
Arrow down and type "single" (no quotes) after ro in the line that starts linux /boot/vmlinuz.
press F10 to boot.

You will be dropped to a root prompt #.
Now type:

Code: Select all

passwd (username)

EDIT
I see you have it sorted now.

[justmeg]

yes, but still very useful information . Going to give it a go now.

I have bought lots of book,s downloaded lots of pdf tutorials but for me applying instructions like this is a good way of learning.

Thanks